(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018-19 Top Prospect Award as voted by ECHL players. 

The PHPA Top Prospect Award is presented to one player from the ECHL 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 Eastern Conference: John Edwardh, Adirondack Thunder

In his first season playing professional hockey, the Calgary, Alberta native recorded 28 goals and 37 assists for 65 points while adding 29 penalty minutes in 59 games for the Adirondack Thunder. In addition, Edwardh played 10 games with the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League (AHL) where he scored three goals. Prior to this season, Edwardh spent four years playing at the collegiate level with the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks, winning the Hockey East Championship in 2016-17.

“I think it means a lot because the guys voting are the guys you’re out there playing against every night,” said Edwardh. “I just try to improve every day, obviously the goal is to make it at the next level and hopefully this award is a sign that I am doing that.”

ECHL Western Conference: Pascal Aquin, Cincinnati Cyclones

In 68 games, the 21-year-old from Le Gardeur, Quebec tallied 27 goals and 32 assists for 59 points, including +23 rating and adding 81 penalty minutes in his first season playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones. Aquin also added 3 points in 11 playoff games and made his AHL debut dressing in one game for the Rochester Americans. The 6’2, 200 lbs forward played four years in the QMJHL prior to this season where he notched 116 points in 273 career games.

“There’s a lot of other really good players in the league, so it feels nice,” said Aquin. “Every time I step out there on the ice I try and give it 100% and be at my very best for my teammates.”