The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016-17 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 the AHL and ECHL players 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 Eastern Conference Winner: Carter Bancks, Utica Comets
• AHL Western Conference Winner: John McCarthy, San Jose Barracuda
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner: Patrick Gaul, South Carolina Stingrays
• ECHL Western Conference Winner: C.J. Eick, Utah Grizzlies

Game-Saving Goalie Award: Presented to the AHL and ECHL goaltenders who are known to consistently make the big save at the biggest moment in the game; who can steal a win for his team, frustrate opponents, and is regarded as the hardest goaltender to play against.

• AHL Eastern Conference Winner: Zane McIntyre, Providence Bruins
• AHL Western Conference Winner: Troy Grosenick, San Jose Barracuda
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner: J.P. Anderson, Adirondack Thunder
• ECHL Western Conference Winner: Riley Gill, Allen Americans

Built Tough Award: Presented to the AHL and ECHL players considered to be the toughest in their respective conference.  Players who are always there for their teammates and help make their team one of the most challenging to play against.

• AHL Eastern Conference Winner: Justin Vaive, Rochester Americans
• AHL Western Conference Winner: Mike Liambas, Milwaukee Admirals
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner: Brandon McNally, Cincinnati Cyclones
• ECHL Western Conference Winner: Derek Mathers, Allen Americans

Defensive Defenseman Award: Presented to the AHL and ECHL defensemen whose offensive output or statistics may not necessarily reflect the significance of his consistent defensive contributions to the team.

• AHL Eastern Conference Winner: Andrew Campbell, Toronto Marlies
• AHL Western Conference Winner: Vince LoVerde, Ontario Reign
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner: Eric Knodel, Cincinnati Cyclones
• ECHL Western Conference Winner: Joel Chouinard, Allen Americans

Top Prospect Award: Presented to the AHL and ECHL players who stand out as the best next future star to succeed and make an impact at the next level of the sport.

• AHL Eastern Conference Winner: Kasperi Kapanen, Toronto Marlies
• AHL Western Conference Winner: Pontus Aberg, Milwaukee Admirals
• ECHL Eastern Conference Winner: Brendan O’Donnell, Florida Everblades
• ECHL Western Conference Winner: Jake Paterson, Toledo Walleye

“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.”