All 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.  Below are the final results from the 2017-18 PHPA Player Voted Awards line-up which were unveiled during the week of June 25 – 29, 2018.

Heart, Hustle, Desire Award – Presented to one player from the ECHL Eastern and Western Conferences and American Hockey League 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, both on and off the ice.

• AHL Western Conference – Brett Sutter, Ontario Reign
• AHL Eastern Conference – Tom Kostopoulos, Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins
• ECHL Western Conference – Justin Danforth, Cincinnati Cyclones & Gabriel Desjardins, Fort Wayne Komets
• ECHL Eastern Conference – Patrick Gaul, South Carolina Stingrays

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

• AHL Western Conference – Dylan McIlrath, Grand Rapids Griffins
• AHL Eastern Conference – Tyler Randell, Belleville Senators
• ECHL Western Conference – Travis Howe, Utah Grizzlies
• ECHL Eastern Conference – Yannick Turcotte, Worcester Railers

Best Defensive Defenseman Award – Presented to one defenseman from the American Hockey League Eastern and Western Conferences and one defenseman from the ECHL 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 – Andrew Campbell, Tucson Roadrunners
• AHL Eastern Conference – Andrew MacWilliam, Rochester Americans
• ECHL Western Conference – Curtis Leonard, Fort Wayne Komets & Jake Marto, Colorado Eagles
• ECHL Eastern Conference – David Kolomatis, Manchester Monarchs

Meridian Game-Saving Goalie Award – Presented to one goaltender from the American Hockey League Eastern and Western Conferences and ECHL Eastern and Western Conferences, who is known to consistently make the big save at the biggest moment of the game.  He can steal a win for his team, frustrate opponents, and is regarded as the hardest goaltender to play against.

• AHL Western Conference – Michael Hutchinson, Manitoba Moose
• AHL Eastern Conference – Garret Sparks, Toronto Marlies
• ECHL Western Conference – Michael Houser, Fort Wayne Komets
• ECHL Eastern Conference – Mitch Gillam, Worcester Railers

Top Prospect Award – Presented to one player from the ECHL Eastern and Western Conferences and American Hockey League Eastern and Western Conferences who stands out as the best next future star to succeed and make an impact at the next level of the sport.

• ECHL Western Conference – Michael Joly, Colorado Eagles
• ECHL Eastern Conference – Grant Besse, Norfolk Admirals
• AHL Western Conference – Sami Niku, Manitoba Moose
• AHL Eastern Conference – Thatcher Demko, Utica Comets

“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.”

About the PHPA

Since its inception in 1967, the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) has continued to serve as an advocate of player interests.  Currently, the PHPA is the certified, U.S. National Labor Relations Board collective bargaining representative for over 1,600 players across 57 teams throughout the American Hockey League and ECHL.  Visit PHPA.com, follow the PHPA on Facebook and Twitter, and register for the PHPA Insider E-Newsletter.