(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015-16 PHPA Built Tough Awards as voted by the player Membership of the PHPA. 

The PHPA Built Tough Award is presented to one player from the American Hockey League’s Eastern and Western Conferences and one player from the ECHL’s Eastern and Western Conferences, who are considered by their peers to be the toughest in the league.  A player who is always there for his teammates and helps make his team one of the most challenging in the league to play against.

ECHL Eastern Conference: Bobby Shea, South Carolina Stingrays

Known for his combination of toughness and skill, Bobby Shea posted a career high 5 goals and 24 assists in 64 games during the 2015-16 season including 180 penalty minutes and finishing +29, helping the Stingrays finish second overall in the Eastern Conference standings.  The Michigan native has split his three-year pro career between the American Hockey League and ECHL, appearing in three games for the AHL’s Hershey Bears this season.  He lead the Stingrays in penalty minutes, and finished one minute behind the Eastern Conference leader, despite playing ten fewer games. 

“I know I’m not the biggest guy but I passionately play for my teammates and I think that can show on the ice,” said Shea.  “I think the other guys have noticed this which goes a long way, and I am very honored to receive this award and recognition.”

ECHL Western Conference: Garet Hunt, Alaska Aces

Garet Hunt lead the ECHL with a whopping 277 penalty minutes while posting 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 61 games for the Alaska Aces.  Hunt has spent the majority of his eight-year pro career in the ECHL, recording over 200 penalty minutes in all but one season (187 penalty minutes in 2013-14).  Prior to this season, Hunt was voted as the recipient of the Stockton Thunder “Fan Favorite” Award over the past four seasons.

“Garet prides himself on being pretty tough, especially when it comes to sticking up for his teammates,” said Aces teammate Tim Coffman.  “Players from around the league, especially in the Western Conference know Garet and they know his personality and the type of guy that he is, so it comes as no shock that he was voted the toughest player in the league.”

AHL Eastern Conference: Pierre-Luc Létourneau Leblond, Albany Devils

Known for playing a physical game, the 6’1, 210 pound Leblond posted one goal, five assists, and 131 penalty minutes in 52 games during the 2015-16 season with the Albany Devils, helping his team finish second overall in the Eastern Conference standings. Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2004, the right winger has spent the majority of his 11-year professional career in the AHL.  He made his NHL debut on October 22, 2008 and has since gone on to play 41 career NHL games.  He led the AHL with 334 penalty minutes during the 2010-11 season, and in 2015, was elected by fellow AHL Player Representatives to serve on the PHPA Executive Committee.

“I really take pride in playing hard and making my team tougher to play against,” said Leblond.  “It’s a great honor coming from the boys, and nice to know that they feel like I have an impact on the game.”

AHL Western Conference: Kyle Hagel, Charlotte Checkers

Named as his team’s ‘Man of the Year’ in each of his six full AHL seasons with five different teams, the 6’0, 205 pound Kyle Hagel posted 5 goals and 5 assists along with 164 penalty minutes in 75 games during the 2015-16 season, leading the Charlotte Checkers in penalty minutes for the second consecutive year.  Following four years at Princeton University, the native of Hamilton, Ontario began his pro career in the ECHL before spending the next six seasons in the AHL, finishing 5 of those 6 seasons with no less than 154 penalty minutes.

“It’s always an honor to be recognized by your peers, as there’s obviously some really tough players around the league,” said Hagel.  “I take a lot of pride in my role, although, personally I voted for Brett Gallant.  If it were up to me, he would have won.”