(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015-16 PHPA Player Voted Awards line-up.  Players from the American Hockey League (AHL) and ECHL were asked to vote on a series of season ending individual awards to determine the players judged to be the very best in each League’s Conference from five (5) Award categories:

Heart, Hustle, Desire Award – Presented to one player from the American Hockey League’s Eastern and Western Conferences and one player from the ECHL’s Eastern and Western Conferences, who are considered by their peers to be the hardest working player in their respective League’s Conference, demonstrating heart, hustle, and desire each and every night.

• AHL Western Conference Winner – Jake Dowell, Rockford Ice Hogs
• AHL Eastern Conference Winner – Carter Bancks, Utica Comets
• ECHL Western Conference Winner – Josh Holmstrom, Missouri Mavericks
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner – Patrick Gaul, South Carolina Stingrays

Built Tough Award – Presented to one player from the American Hockey League’s Eastern and Western Conferences and one player from the ECHL’s Eastern and Western Conferences, who are considered by their peers to be the toughest in the league.  A player who is always there for his teammates and helps make his team one of the most challenging in the league to play against.

• AHL Western Conference Winner – Kyle Hagel, Charlotte Checkers
• AHL Eastern Conference Winner – Pierre-Luc Leblond, Albany Devils
• ECHL Western Conference Winner – Garet Hunt, Alaska Aces
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner – Bobby Shea, South Carolina Stingrays

Best Defensive Defenseman Award – Presented to one defenseman from the American Hockey League’s Eastern and Western Conferences and one defenseman from the ECHL’s Eastern and Western Conferences, whose offensive output or statistics may not necessarily reflect the significance of his consistent defensive contributions to the team.

• AHL Western Conference Winner – Jeff Schultz, Ontario Reign
• AHL Eastern Conference Winner – Andrew Campbell, Toronto Marlies
• ECHL Western Conference Winner – Corbin Baldwin, Idaho Steelheads
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner – Joey Leach, South Carolina Stingrays

Unsung Hero Award – Presented to one player from the American Hockey League’s Eastern and Western Conferences and one player from the ECHL’s Eastern and Western Conferences, who exhibits outstanding and consistent play yet often does not receive the recognition typically bestowed upon other players. His contributions often fly under the radar yet are noticed and appreciated by his teammates and peers throughout the league.

• AHL Western Conference Winner – Brennan Evans, Texas Stars
• AHL Eastern Conference Winner – Rod Pelley, Albany Devils
• ECHL Western Conference Winner – Rocco Carzo, Missouri Mavericks
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner – Mike Bergin, Adirondack Thunder

Top Prospect Award – Presented to one player from the American Hockey League’s Eastern and Western Conferences, who stands out as the best next future star to succeed and make an impact in the National Hockey League (NHL).

• AHL Western Conference Winner – Mikko Rantanen, San Antonio Rampage
• AHL Eastern Conference Winner – William Nylander, Toronto Marlies

“There is no higher individual honor in team sports than to be recognized by your peers as the very best in the League,” said PHPA Executive Director, Larry Landon. “Many of these well deserving Award recipients will go on to have successful careers in the National Hockey League after having first honed their skills within the development leagues. A true testament to all involved with the American Hockey League and ECHL.”