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

The PHPA Heart, Hustle, Desire 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 hardest working player in their respective League’s Conference, demonstrating heart, hustle, and desire each and every night.

ECHL Eastern Conference: Patrick Gaul, South Carolina Stingrays

Patrick Gaul registered 7 goals and 13 assists in 49 games during the 2015-16 season, his fourth campaign with the Stingrays.  On the ice, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native helped lead the Stingrays to a second place overall finish in the Eastern Conference standings.  Off the ice, he has made a significant impact on the South Carolina community, participating in numerous local charitable initiatives

“I love playing the game and the fact that I do it in a way that is acknowledged by my peers is unbelievable,” said Gaul.  “It’s just the way I was raised.  My parents always told me, if you’re going to do something, do it to the best of your ability, do it as hard as you can and if it doesn’t work out, you at least did your best.  So the fact that I’m working hard enough for my peers to vote for me means a lot.”

ECHL Western Conference: Josh Holmstrom, Missouri Mavericks

In 61 games played with the Mavericks this season, Josh Holmstrom posted 17 goals and 13 assists to go along with 47 penalty minutes, helping the Mavs clinch the ECHL Regular Season Championship.  Holmstrom also skated in 7 games with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the 2015-16 season.  Prior to turning pro, the native of Colorado Springs, Colorado spent four seasons with the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks where he was named team Captain during his senior year. 

“I’m very humbled to be thought of this way by my peers,” said Holmstrom.  “I think it’s just everyday trying to come to the rink and get better and always trying to improve is just how I carry myself.  I’ve been fortunate to learn from a lot of great players who carry themselves the same way.  I am just trying to get better every day, not trying to take any shortcuts ever, and just always giving it everything I have each and every day.”

AHL Eastern Conference: Carter Bancks, Utica Comets

Carter Bancks posted a career high 14 goals and 25 assists in 76 games with the Utica Comets during the 2015-16 season, his sixth full season in the league.  He was named the Comets’ winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award for outstanding contributions to his community.  The native of Marysville, British Columbia made his NHL debut on April 23^rd, 2013 as a member of the Calgary Flames.

“It’s obviously a huge compliment to be recognized by your peers for an award such as this,” said Bancks.  “There’s a ton of guys in the league that I respect, who play hard every night who probably could have won this award as well.  I always pride myself on trying to play the game hard and play the game the right way. I just try to show up every night and compete and that’s what I’ve done my whole career and is what has made me successful.”

AHL Western Conference: Jake Dowell, Rockford Ice Hogs

As Captain of the Rockford Ice Hogs, Jake Dowell posted career highs in goals (11), assists (24), points (35) and +/- at +14 this season, while finishing with 99 penalty minutes.  Dowell returned to the Ice Hogs this season on a pro tryout agreement before signing an AHL standard player contract to continue in Rockford for the remainder of the season, where the team finished third in the Central Division standings.  Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2004, the native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin made his NHL debut on November 23^rd, 2007 and has appeared in 157 NHL regular season games.

“It’s personally an honor to have your peers vote for you; the ones that you’re playing against each and every night and I respect their opinion a lot,” said Dowell.  “I really do give everything I have each and every day and feel like I’m as honest of a player as there is.  I think it’s that approach and focus, to do whatever I can to stay around and have a job, as there are more and more really good young guys coming into this League.”