2024 | Minnesota | BOYS

Mankato West High School | Scarlets | BOYS

Wes is the easiest selection I’ve made for this award in my 12 years of coaching at Mankato West High School, and we had the State’s Class A Hobey Baker Award Winner in 2016 on our team.

Wes move to Minnesota from Arkansas as a young kid, and joined hockey later than his peers. He never made an A team in his life, yet has been a varsity player for us for three straight seasons due to his work ethic, how he conducts himself as a teammate, and ultimately the way he consistently does things the right way. Wes was voted an assistant captain by his teammates not for being our most skilled or most vocal player, but by earning respect with how he handles his day to day on and off the ice.

Wes will be the last guy on the ice, as he has been for three years, making sure our bench is clean after practice, the pucks are picked up and put away, and the nets are pushed. He thanks our bus drivers, arena staff at home and on the road, holds the door, brings our young players along to lead them and show them the simple things they can do to make a difference.

Wes embodies Hobey Baker’s legacy better than anyone I’ve been around, and we are excited to be able to present this award to him.