Minnesota high school boys hockey: Meet the top forwards

See some of the top forwards from the 2023-24 Minnesota high school boys hockey season

The Minnesota high school boys hockey regular season is over, and many talented players competed across the state. 

SBLive Minnesota is highlighting the top talent in a state deep with talent. This week, we look at the top forwards in Minnesota. Next week, we'll highlight the top defenders and goaltenders.

Minnesota high school boys hockey: 2024 MSHSL section tournament brackets

The following athletes will be included in our "Who is the top forward in Minnesota high school boys hockey?" poll to be posted on Thursday. Our lists and polls are intended to be fun and in no way discredits any other player who may not be mentioned.

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Top forwards in Minnesota high school boys hockey

Jackson Knight, sophomore, Orono

Knight is just a sophomore, but he leads the Spartans with 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists).

“He has been on fire all year long,” coach Sean Fish said. “He is the most coachable kid on the team, buys into everything we are teaching, and he is having success because of it. He will be a force for years to come. He is a pure goal scorer and you just can't teach that.”

Cooper Simpson, junior, Shakopee

Simpson is a force for Shakopee. He has 25 goals and 24 assists in 22 games this season.

“He is dominant with the puck,” Shakopee coach Calvin Simon said. “Pure goal scorer. Has helped transform our program from a bottom 40 team to a top-10 contender. Committed to UND. Participant on Team USA in the 5 Nations Tournament. Winner.”

Cooper Siegert, sophomore, Shakopee

The young forward has 25 goals and 25 assists through 22 games this season.

“He is in the midst of a breakout season,” Simon said. “Does everything for us. Matched up with opponents top line five vs. five. Top power play and penalty kill player for us. He has helped transform our program from a bottom 40 team to a top-10 contender. Winner.”

Gavin Uhlenkamp, senior, Chanhassen

The University of Wisconsin commit has been key to the Storm’s success all season. He has 30 assists and 18 goals this season

Mason Jenson, junior, Rogers

Jenson scored 15 goals and had 20 assists in just 17 games played, according to stats submitted to MNhockeyhub.com. Jenson is committed to Ohio State.

Bobby Cowan, senior, Edina

Cowan is hoping for a state championship in 2024, and he’s helped the Hornets reach the No. 2 seed in the competitive Section 6AA. Cowan has 16 goals and 18 assists this season. He is committed to the University of St. Thomas. 

Jack Christ, senior, Chanhassen

The Minnesota State commit had 52 points for the Storm this season. He had 20 goals and 32 assists this season.

Ryder Betzold, junior, Gentry Academy

Betzold is off to the Sonoran Desert to play college hockey after next season. The junior is committed to Arizona State, but this season, Betzold scored 22 goals and had 22 assists for the Stars.

Cade De St. Hubert, senior, Wayzata

De St. Hubert is tied for the most points for the Trojans through 25 games. He has 15 goals and 25 assists for a Wayzata team that has talent across multiple lines. 

Harper Searles, senior, Centennial

One of the top points scorers in the state, Searles totaled 56 points from 20 goals and 56 assists. Searles is a Mr. Hockey candidate, and he chose to come back to the Bears for his senior season instead of continuing to play juniors.

“I really wanted to come back to play high school hockey with my buddies, who I grew up with and have played with for a long time” Searless told minnesotahockey.org “Also, I get to play with my brother this year, and I’ve never played with him before on a hockey team.”

Hans Hedlund, senior, Rosemount

Hedlund set up his teammates all season. He has nine goals and 26 assists so far this season.

“Hans is a fantastic offensive talent who plays a skilled game with the ability to score goals and make plays,” coach Richard Saintey said. “Hans skates really well and is powerful with his first three strides. Hans is a senior leader for us who competes and utilizes his talents on the rink.”

Christian Garrity, junior, Rosemount

Garrity has been critical for Rosemount this season. His 16 goals and 13 assists have helped the Irish to an 18-7 record

“Christian is a talented goal scorer who has a knack for the net,” Saintey said. “Christian competes at a very high level and brings it every day. Recognizing Christian for his goal scoring ability and has the ability to get to the ugly areas on the rink.”

Aiden Grossklaus, junior, Woodbury

Aiden is our leading scorer (22g 13a for 35 pts in 22 games). He is committed to Minnesota State University and Des Moines of the USHL.

“Aiden is a highly skilled player with great acceleration, vision, and scoring touch,” coach Weston Bolin said.

Jackson Rudh, junior, Park of Cottage Grove

In 22 games, Rudh has 23 goals and 18 assists this season as a center.

“Jackson is a very high end skill player who is as dangerous as any player we have played against all season,” coach Jeff Corkish said. “His ability to stick-handle in tight spaces and pull defenders to him is something special and a huge reason, along with his great vision of the ice, why his linemates get so many scoring chances. Jackson is a great competitor on the forecheck and when protecting the puck. … This comes from his incredible work ethic and pride to get better at the game.” 

Owen Corkish, junior, Park of Cottage Grove

In 17 games, Owen has 11 goals, and he also has 22 assists, which leads the team this season.

“Owen is a 200 foot team player who is incredibly coachable, works as hard on the backcheck as he does when he has a chance to get the puck on offense, will stay inside the puck and never cheats the game,” coach Jeff Corkish said. “He is as good at creating turnovers and stealing pucks from the opponent from behind as he is at setting up a teammate. 

"Owen is one of the rare high skilled players who competes hard every shift and is the first off the ice hard when line changing. Owen is lucky to play with some very talented players and this has helped him become a very valuable player for his team.”

Hagen Burrows, senior, Minnetonka

Burrows has had a fantastic career and final season for the Skippers. In 81 games played, Burrows has 55 goals and 70 assists, and he currently sits sixth in career points in Minnetonka history.

This season, Burrows has 17 goals and 32 assists in 23 games played. Burrows is committed to the University of Denver. Burrows is the No. 64 prospect from NHL Central Scouting.

Javon Moore, senior, Minnetonka

Moore is the highest ranked Minnesota high school player in NHL Central Scouting at No. 64. This season, Moore has 18 goals and 24 assists in 23 games played this season, and he has 45 career goals and 70 career assists. Moore has elite speed and passing skills. He is committed to the University of Minnesota. 

Ashton Schultz, junior, Minnetonka

One of the top juniors in the state, Schultz leads the Skippers in goals scored (19). Schultz also has 27 assists this season. He has elite on-ice vision, skilled hands and a quick release, according to assistant coach Tom Stretar.

He is a University of North Dakota commit. 

Carson Pilgrim, senior, Warroad

Pilgrim is another Warrior star in a long line of them. This season, Pilgrim has 25 goals and 27 assists in 25 games played, according to stats submitted to MNhockeyhub.com. Pilgrim is committed to the University of North Dakota.

Jackson Nevers, senior, Edina

Nevers is having a fantastic season for a Hornet team with state title aspirations. He leads the team with 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) through 25 games. Nevers passed 100 career points earlier this season. Nevers is committed to the University of Minnesota.

Nolan Roed, senior, White Bear Lake

The St. Cloud State commit has 50 points this season. He has 29 goals and 21 assists, and he’s had three hat-tricks this season. He also scored four goals in the final game of the season against Cretin-Derham Hall.

Wyatt Farrell, senior, La Crescent-Hokah

Farrell is the leader in the state in points this season, according to stats submitted to MNhockeyhub.com. He has 86 points (48 goals, 38 assists) this season, and his career goal total is up to 192, Farrell is five goals from setting the Minnesota high school record for goals scored.

Noah Urness, senior, Roseau

Urness was the engine in Roseau’s offense this season. He had 81 points this season, which is tied for second in the state, according to stats submitted to MNhockeyhub.com. He had 42 goals and 39 assists. He is committed to St. Cloud State University.

Henry Lechner, junior, Holy Angels

Lechner is a junior committed to University of St. Thomas. He showed why with 28 goals and 42 assists for the Stars this season. He had six games this season with five or more points, including four goals and three assists in a 9-6 win at Blake.

John Hirschfeld, junior, St. Cloud Cathedral

Hirschfeld is the state leader in assists at the end of the regular season. He has 47 assists as part of his 68 points. 

Mason West, sophomore, Edina

West is one of the top underclassmen in the state, and he had 13 goals and 18 assists this season. He averaged over one point per game in his freshman season as well.

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(Feature image by Jon Namyst)

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- Jack Butler | butler@scorebooklive.com | @Butler917