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

The Veteran Presence Award is presented to one player from the ECHL Eastern and Western Conferences who qualifies as a league veteran and continuously has demonstrated the ability to motivate and lead their fellow teammates. This player uses their experience to provide leadership for their teammates, both on and off the ice.

ECHL Eastern Conference: James Henry, Adirondack Thunder

In his sixth season playing in the ECHL and fourth with the Adirondack Thunder, the forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba has consistently been a key offensive contributor. In 77 games during the 2018-19 season, Henry amassed 17 goals and 56 assists for 73 points, including 69 penalty minutes and plus-minus of +16. He served as team captain and was also awarded with the ECHL Community Service Award for his outstanding efforts supporting community and charitable causes.

“For the players that I battle against and with during the season, for them to recognize me in that manor is pretty humbling and that shows some of the things that me and the guys in Adirondack have been through the past few years,” said Henry. “I have to give some credit to teammate Peter MacArthur, I’ve played with him for a few years now and he is a veteran guy that I learned from over the years.”

ECHL Western Conference: – Tie: Steve Kaunisto, Tulsa Oilers + Jamie Schaafsma, Fort Wayne Komets

His fifth season as a captain in the ECHL and fourth with Fort Wayne, Schaafsma is a highly respected leader around the league. In 310 career ECHL games, the Chatham, Ontario native has recorded 85 goals and 123 assists for 208 points, while adding another 75 career playoff games where he has notched 18 goals and 20 assists for 38 points. This past season, Schaafsma played in 67 games for the Komets where had 31 points and helped lead them to a third-place finish in the Central Division.

“It means a lot to me to have the guys you play against and battle with vote for me for this award.  It’s really an honour,” said Schaafsma. “I try to compete as hard as I can every night and try to inspire my teammates by working as hard as I can and doing whatever it takes to help my team win.”

In his ninth season of professional hockey, Kaunisto has over 330 career games played in the ECHL. In his second season with Tulsa, The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native served as an Assistant Captain and played in 69 games, recording 8 goals and 26 assists for a career high 34 points. He helped lead Tulsa to a first-place finish in the Mountain division and playoff run that saw them make it to the Western Conference finals.  

“It means a lot, I just try doing the best I can every night and anything I can do to help out my teammates to improve their game is something I look forward to doing,” said Kaunisto. “I also try having fun on the ice. I mean, it is my job, but I also know it’s a sport that not many people get the opportunity to play so I embrace every moment and definitely have fun with it.”