(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018-19 PHPA Best Defensive Defenseman Award as voted by ECHL players.
The PHPA Best Defensive Defenseman Award is presented to 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.
ECHL Eastern Conference: Connor Doherty, Worcester Railers
The Holden, Massachusetts native finished his second season playing for the Railers with 1 goal and 8 assists for 9 points in 52 games. The 6’2, 195 lbs defenseman also was +10 and added 86 penalty minutes and had 86 shots on goal throughout the 2018-19 season. Prior to signing in Worcester, Doherty played three seasons of NCAA Division I hockey at Sacred Heart University where he had 21 points and 134 penalty minutes in 99 career games.
“I think it’s very cool and an honour,” said Doherty on receiving the award. “Especially that the award is voted on by people that you are playing against game in and game out and competing against. My whole career I’ve always been more of a defense first guy and try to play the physical side of the game and be tough to play against, so it’s cool to get their appreciation.”
ECHL Western Conference: Keegan Kanzig, Idaho Steelheads
In his third season playing professional hockey, the Athabasca, Alberta native recorded 4 goals and 14 assists for 18 points, including a +30 rating and 167 penalty minutes with the Idaho Steelheads. Kanzig, who stands 6’7 and weighs 247 lbs served as assistant captain in his first season with the Steelheads. The 24-year-old was drafted in the third round, 67th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
“There’s a lot of good top defenseman in the league, so it means a lot that guys thought of me when making their vote for this award,” said Kanzig. “I try and play as strong defensively as I can, and being as big as I am, I try to utilize my reach, size be physical and just use all those assets that I have to my advantage”
