(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023-24 Veteran Presence Award as voted by PHPA Members at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.   

The Veteran Presence Award is presented to one player from the American Hockey League and ECHL Eastern and Western Conferences who qualifies as a league veteran and uses their experience to provide leadership, mentorship, and support for their teammates, both on and off the ice.

AHL Eastern Conference: Dylan McIlrath, Hershey Bears

Dylan McIlrath, who receives his second Player Voted Award this year, has played in 693 professional games split between the AHL and NHL over his 12-year career. The 6’5 defenseman was named the Bears’ Captain in 2022 and led the team to a Calder Cup championship. He followed last season up with 3 goals, 6 assists, and a +6 rating to go along with 100 penalty minutes. McIlrath leads by example on a nightly basis and recently led the Bears to back-to-back Calder Cup championships.

AHL Western Conference: Brett Sutter, Calgary Wranglers

For a second consecutive season, Brett Sutter has won the Veteran Presence Award. He recently finished his tenth season as a Captain in the AHL and second with the Calgary Wranglers.  A highly respected leader around the league, Sutter recorded 8 goals and two assists in 46 games. To date, he has appeared in 1,150 professional games split between the AHL (1,090) and NHL (60).  In 2019 he was awarded the AHL’s Sportsmanship Award exemplifying his sportsmanship and dedication to the sport.  Sutter also serves as the Wranglers’ PHPA Player Representative and has been an elected member of the PHPA Executive Committee since 2018.

ECHL Eastern Conference: Shane Harper, Adirondack Thunder

The 35-year-old from Valencia, California, Shane Harper, played a vital role in helping lead the Adirondack Thunder to the ECHL Eastern Conference Finals. In 56 games during the 2023-24 season, Harper tallied 19 goals and 37 assists and continued his strong performance into the playoffs. The former Everett Silvertip has played in a total of 810 professional games across various leagues throughout the world including 14 games in the NHL.

ECHL Western Conference: A.J. White, Idaho Steelheads

A.J. White recently completed his eighth season of professional hockey and sixth with the Idaho Steelheads. White excelled in his fifth season as the team’s Captain, finishing the season tied for the team lead in points with 66 (27 goals and 39 assists), and was named the teams Most Valuable Player. Additionally, he was the recipient of the ECHL’s 2023-24 Sportsmanship Award for demonstrating sportsmanship and a high standard of play. Since graduating from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2016, White has appeared in 542 professional games.

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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 1,800 players across 60 teams throughout the American Hockey League and ECHL.  Visit PHPA.com, follow the PHPA on Instagram (@thephpa), X (@thephpa), and tune into the PHPA Podcast.