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Post-Season Player Awards
Minnesota Blizzard Awards Ceremony and End of the Year Banquet - Past Winners
At year’s end, the Blizzard program has an awards ceremony to recognize the top players from each team. Plaques are awarded with each player voting for their teammates in five categories: "Johnny Price" Most Valuable Player Award, "Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Award, "Logan Shore" Top Pitcher Award, "Blue gLove" Top Defensive Player Award, and the “Jake Kuschke” Leadership Award. The staff also awards one coach with the "Montana" Coach of the Year Award.
John Price 1997 – 2015
"Johnny Price" Most Valuable Player Award
John Price IV has been recognized by his peers as one of the best players and teammates who has ever stepped on the field in a Blizzard uniform.
A division I recruit, the right-handed hitting Price was a versatile player manning the outfield and corner infield positions as well as logging innings as a hard-throwing right hander. At the plate, Price was a middle of the order hitter leading his Blizzard teams to the playoffs in eight separate tournaments including three championships from 2013-2015.
Price had one of – if not the top – offensive weekends in Blizzard history in the 2015 ScoutStop August Select. Price hit three home runs including two at Miesville and one in the championship game at CHS Field. Over the course of the tournament, Price, who finished his career hitting 4-hole for the top Blizzard varsity team, went 10-for-16 (.625 BA) with 3 home runs, 10 RBI and 6 runs.
While John’s contributions were certainly valued on the field, what truly made him an MVP was his impact off the field. Price, a friend to everyone, was the center of every Blizzard activity including team building exercises, hotel fun and van rides to and from the field. He taught and led younger players how to play and practice; with effort and a great attitude.
He is the person who every Blizzard player should strive to be – a vibrant young man who positively impacts other people’s lives and makes every one of his teammates better.
"Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Award
The "Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Award was named for one of the best hitters to come through the Blizzard program - Joe Loftus. Joe was a top prep athlete in Minnesota, attending Holy Angels Academy HS, where he set many of their offensive record - most notably hitting more home runs in high school than Joe Mauer. Loftus was drafted by the Minnesota Twins out of high school, but decided to attend Vanderbilt University where he helped his team reach the College World Series in 2011. Loftus was drafted and signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"Logan Shore" Top Pitcher Award
Right-handed pitcher Logan Shore was one of Minnesota Blizzard’s premier pitchers from 2006-2013 serving as the ace on almost every team he played on. Leading his team to six national tournament championships and four top-four finishes in his tenure, Shore will be known as one of the fiercest competitors in the Blizzard program’s history.
Shore was named to the Chicago White Sox Area Code team (2012) and was awarded the Star Tribune’s Player of the Year (2012), Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year (2013), Minutemen Mr. Baseball Award (2013), Class AAA Minnesota Players of the Year (2013) and earned the Blizzard’s Top Pitcher Award in 2009 and 2012 while earning MVP honors in 2010-2012. In one of the Blizzard’s biggest program wins, Shore threw a one-hit, complete game shutout, beating the nationally-ranked Cincinnati Reds Scout team 1-0 striking out 13 in the Perfect Game Kernels Championships.
In 2013, Shore was drafted in the 29th round by the Minnesota Twins but decided to attend the University of Florida. Shore led the Gators to the College World Series in 2015 winning two games before finishing third. In 2014, Shore had a stellar freshman year where he earned All-American honors and was named SEC Freshman of the Year.
Logan’s impact on the Blizzard program, however, outweighs his accomplishments on the mound by being everything the Blizzard Big 5 stands for – outstanding leadership, loyalty, humility, hardworking and phenomenal teammate.
“Jake Kuschke” Leadership Award
Jake Kuschke, a 2012 graduate, played in the Blizzard program for four years and demonstrated all the characteristics of being a leader. This award not only demonstrates achievements on the field, but more importantly, the leadership off the field. The “Jake Kuschke” Leadership Award is awarded to the player who demonstrates the ability to being a great teammate, a mentor to younger players, a great student, hard worker and is always there for those who need to be 'picked up'.
“Blue gLove” Top Defensive Player of the Year
The Blue gLove award is named after our top defensive player each season. Whether it be the starting shortstop, a versatile utility player or an individual who seems to make an impact with his glove every game, these defensive vacuums have shown their ability to consistently impact the outcome of many games.
"Montana" Coach of the Year Award
Steve Daugherty is regarded as one of the top coaches of the program and a player favorite. As one of the first coaches in the Blizzard program, "Montana" has gone over the top in his efforts in making the Blizzard program one of the best in the country. In 2009, the first Manager of the Year Award went to Steve and was named after a program favorite - Steve "Montana" Daugherty.
2024-2025 Post Season Awards
| Age | "Johnny Price" MVP | "Joe Loftus" Top Hitter | "Logan Shore" Top Pitcher | "Jake Kuchske" Leadership | "Blue gLove" Defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11u Blue | Connor O’Keefe | Colin LaRue | Jaren Patnode | Everett Sage | Jaren Patnode |
| 12u Blue | Jordy Swenson | Luca Cognetta | Brayden Hostrawser | Burke Packard | Lucas Stalberger |
| 12u Black | Preston Hogan | Julian Bohle | Preston Hogan | Tyler Gengenbach | Tyler Gengenbach |
| 13u Blue | Kelton Foster | Jett Mataczynski | Wyatt Gutzman | Tucker Pitchford | Vance Vanden Einde |
| 13u Black | Jacob Doherty | Hudson Stevens | Jacob Doherty | Jacob Doherty | Charlie Miedema |
| 14u Blue | Soren Lillegard | Miles Tomaszewski | Cameron Favilla | Noah Scott | Micah Johnson |
| 14u Black | Baylor Brown | Yuvraj Singh | Nolan Hemmelgarn | Charles Schkrohowsky | Charles Schkrowhowsky |
| 15u Blue | Jude Heyer | Jude Heyer | Nick Corbett | Tyler Bealieu | Bowen Jarombek |
| 15u Black | Drew Sonneson | Max Krause | James Storholm | Charlie Loe | Micah Smith |
| 2027 Blue | Oscar Waisanen | Mat Matejka | Oscar Waisenen | Riley West | Jay Mound |
| 2027 Black | Gavin Backstrom | Ryan (Rj) Madison | Nolan Wold | Ryan (RJ) Madison | Gavin Backstrom |
| 2027 Red | Brayden Colvin | Dominic Ericksen | Brayden Colvin | Crosby Schmidt | Dominic Ericksen |
| 2026 Blue | Cason Borchardt | Easton Ahrens | Cason Borchardt | Brandon Lunneborg | Jace Mataczynski |
| 2026 Black | Keegan Flansburg | Chaz Brookins | Carter Nelson | Donny Johnson | Benjamin Fenske |
| 2026 Red | Brady Smith | Brady Smith | Calvin McCabe | Calvin McCabe | Brady Smith |
| 2025 Blue | Andrew Brandt | Trenton Kirkland | Andrew Brandt | Trenton Kirkland | Tyler Allshouse |
| 2025 Black | Colin Fike | Colin Fike | Nick Ulrich | Luke Voll | Owen Hodson |
"Montana" Coach of the Year Award: Mason Reinhart (2027 Red)
"Diesel" Award winner(s): Nic Linarte & Bryan Sanchez
2023-2024 Post Season Awards
| Age | "Johnny Price" MVP | "Joe Loftus" Top Hitter | "Logan Shore" Top Pitcher | "Jake Kuchske" Leadership | "Blue gLove" Defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11u Blue | Billy Murtha | Keegan Hoeschen | Brayden Hostrawser | Eric Loe | Bennett Travis |
| 12u Blue | Luke Olsen | Jett Mataczynski | Wyatt Gutzman | Jacob Doherty | Dane Swenson |
| 13u Blue | Cam Favilla | Miles Tomaszewski | Connor Flanagan | Noah Scott | Noah Scott |
| 13u Black | Baylor Brown | Yuvraj Singh | Jayce Johnson | Jayce Johnson | Baylor Brown |
| 14u Blue | Jay Mound | Jay Mound | Hayden Danelski | Brody Radtke | Hayden Danelski |
| 14u Black | Jude Heyer | Carter Daluge | Nick Corbett | Bowen Jarombek | Mason Fenwick |
| 14u Red | Drew Sonneson | Drew Sonneson | Jimmy Storholm | Tyler Tuttle | Riley Skalisky |
| 15u Blue | Oscar Waisanen | Cade Hamilton | Kason Nuehring | Riley West | Oscar Waisanen |
| 15u Black | RJ Madison | RJ Madison | Silas Nelson | Gavin Iverson | Gavin Iverson |
| 2026 Blue | Cason Borchardt | Sam Abrahamson | Mason Schmidt | Jack Glancey | Jace Mataczynski |
| 2026 Black | Isaiah Walker | Benjamin Fenske | Isaiah Walker | Keith Milam | Henry Saunders |
| 2026 Red | Donny Johnson | Easton Riddlehoover | Kasey MacCallum | Donny Johnson | Donny Johnson |
| 2025 Elite | Peter Adie | Peter Adie | Ryan Maylone | Charlie Mueller | Andrew Brandt |
| '24/'25 Blue | Tyler Allshouse | Tyler Allshouse | Nick Johnson | Carson Timm | Carson Timm |
| '24/'25 Black | Ethan Clark | Owen Farrington | Colin Fike | Ben Engele | Ben Johnson |
| 2024 Blue | Tyler Guerin | Leo Lauscher | Jack Scanlon | Hunter Carlson | Hunter Carlson |
"Montana" Coach of the Year Award: Eddie Gerald (2026 Blue)
"Diesel" Award winner: Heidi Barta
2022-2023 Post Season Awards
| Age | "Johnny Price" MVP | "Joe Loftus" Top Hitterp Hitter | "Logan Shore" Top Pitcher | "Jake Kuschke" Leadership | "Blue gLove" Defense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11u | Luke Olsen | Jacob Doherty | Riley Jukich | Jake Abrahamson | Luke Olsen |
| 12u | Connor Flanagan | Miles Tomaszewski | Cam Favilla | Connor Flanagan | Noah Scott |
| 13u Blue | Noah Riegelman | Noah Riegelman | Ryder Tri | Dominic Pettman | Parker Reckin |
| 13u Black | Jay Mound | Jay Mound | Nick Corbett | Vincent Bohle | Hayden Danelski |
| 14u Blue | Carson Hart | Carson Hart | Anthony Brown | Matthew Grundtner | Chase Rudolph |
| 14u Black | Cade Hamilton | Cade Hamilton | Robbie Babcock | Gavin Iverson | Aidan Connelly |
| 15u Blue | Sam Abrahamson | Brandon Lunneborg | Alex Seaver | Spencer Barta | Jace Mataczynski |
| 15u Black | Easton Ahrens | Easton Ahrens | Isaiah Walker | Charlie Mueller | Brody Medina |
| 2025 Blue | Nick Johnson | Carter Amelse | Carson Timm | Carter Amelse | Connor McLain |
| 2025 Black | Jon Wong | Teddy Salhus | Ben Engele | Ethan Clark | Owen Farrington |
| 2024 Blue | Tyler Guerin | Bradyn Bezanson | Finn Furcht | Hunter Carlson | Hunter Carlson |
| 2024 Black | Joe Anderson | Chase McQuade | Cayden Mueller | Joe Hess | Joe Anderson |
| 2023 Blue | Brayden Olson | Ian Regal | Ben Berkhof | Brayden Olson | Jake Busson |
| 2023 Black | Jack Setterlund | Andrew Harris | Isaiah Hasz | Leo Matuga | Dillon Glass |
"Montana" Coach of the Year Award: Isaiah Lufkin (11u)
"Diesel" Award winner: Eddie Gerald
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Jesse Tollefson (14u Blue)
"Diesel" Award Winner - Cole Albers
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Blizzard Coaching Staff and Instructor Staff
"Montana" Coach of the Year -
"Diesel" Award Winner (Inaugural Year) - Graig 'Diesel' Weber
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Lonnie Robinson (15u Blue)
"Diesel" Award Winner (Inaugural Year) - Graig 'Diesel' Weber
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Mike Jurgella (15u) and Ben Moore (16u Black)
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Jake Kurth (11u)
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Brent 'Trig' Peters (12u)
In 2016, the "Johnny Price" MVP Award was given to Tommy Price and the Price family.
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Jeff Huth (14u)
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Andrew Woitas (16u Blue)
*Jordan Kuznia and Jordan Joseph tied for "Joe Loftus" Top Hitter Award
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Mike Loberg (18u Black)
*Aaron Rozek and Jacob Dzubay tied for Top Pitcher Award
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Lonnie Robinson (16u Blue)
*2012 was the first year the Leadership Award was named after a player - Jake Kuschke.
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Joe Dempsey (14u)
*Ryan Burmeister and Jake Kuschke tied for Leadership Award
"Montana" Coach of the Year - Andy Sieberer (14u)
*2010 was the first year the Manager of the Year Award was named after a coach - Steve "Montana" Daugherty.
2009 Manager of the Year - Steve "Montana" Daugherty (14u Blue)
