Let's Play Hockey newspaper in 2013 created an annual award to honor the top Minnesota high school senior defenseman.

This annual award was named after Reed Larson who played for the Gophers from 1975 to 1977 after finishing his high school career at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, MN.  He played in the NHL from 1977 to 1990 and is a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

The candidates of the Reed Larson Award are judged on Academics, Community/extra-curricular activities, Citizenship, Coachability and On-ice performance.