(Niagara Falls, ON) The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017-18 PHPA Best Defensive Defenseman Award as voted by the player Membership of the PHPA. 

The PHPA Best Defensive Defenseman Award is presented to one defenseman from the American Hockey League Eastern and Western Conferences and one defenseman from the ECHL Eastern and Western Conferences whose offensive output or statistics may not necessarily reflect the significance of his consistent defensive contributions to the team.

ECHL Eastern Conference: David Kolomatis, Manchester Monarchs

Serving as team captain for the past three seasons, David Kolomatis has established himself as a defensive leader for the Monarchs.  In 2017-18, the 29-year-old Livingston, New Jersey native played 57 games contributing 6 goals and 24 assists for 30 points, helping Manchester finish second in the North Division.  Drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2009, Kolomatis completed his ninth season of professional hockey after three seasons in the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack.

“Any award voted on by the players is a huge honour to receive,” said Kolomatis. “Those are the guys I work with and compete against all season, so to have their vote is a honor.  My coaches and teammates are the guys who help me out and pick me up on a nightly basis, and I wouldn’t be here without them.”

ECHL Western Conference: Tie – Curtis Leonard, Fort Wayne Komets & Jake Marto, Colorado Eagles

In 71 games this season, Leonard scored 3 goals and added 18 assists.  His +34 rating was second best in the ECHL and his efforts helped lead the Komets to 46 wins and second-place in the Central Division. The 6’3, 201lbs defenseman from Napanee, Ontario spent four seasons playing at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before embarking on his pro career in 2015.

“When your peers notice your game and respect you like that, it’s very humbling,” said Leonard. “Especially as a defensive defenseman you don’t receive a lot of recognition. To have people notice you for your defensive game is something I take pride in.”

Jake Marto recorded 9 goals and 33 assists for 42 points, including 30 penalty minutes and a +10 rating in 72 games throughout the 2017-18 season.  The 31-year-old, Grand Forks, North Dakota native spent four seasons at the University of North Dakota before joining the Colorado Eagles in 2011-12 and has since played 332 career games for the organization, including back to back Kelly Cup Championships.

“It’s very cool to receive an award that is voted on by other players in the league. I’m honored to have received it,” said Marto. “I really just try and keep it simple, limit mistakes and make the right play. It’s nice to be recognized and rewarded for my play.”

AHL Eastern Conference: Andrew MacWilliam, Rochester Americans

Although he hasn’t recorded a goal in over two seasons, Andrew MacWilliam’s defensive contributions including 73 penalty minutes and +19 helped the Rochester Americans get back to the Calder Cup Playoffs this season.  Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008, the native of Calgary, Alberta played four seasons at the University of North Dakota before making the jump to professional hockey in 2013. The 6’2, 230lbs defensemen’s career has included stops in Toronto, Manitoba and Albany before joining Rochester this past season. 

“It’s a huge honour to get voted for this award by my peers and guys I play against,” said MacWilliam. “You don’t receive the most glory being a stay at home defensemen, so it’s pretty special to get recognized. Thanks to the PHPA for putting the Player Voted Awards on.”

AHL Western Conference: Andrew Campbell, Tucson Roadrunners

This marks the third consecutive season Tucson Roadrunners Captain Andrew Campbell has been voted by his peers to receive this award.  What makes it more impressive is that this is his first season in the Western Conference, having received the previous awards while with the Toronto Marlies in the Eastern Conference.  The 30-year-old from Caledonia, Ontario led the Roadrunners to a first-place finish in the Pacific Division.  Drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2008, Campbell has played ten seasons in the AHL including 42 NHL games during that span.

“Any time you win an award that is voted on by the guys you compete against every night is special,” said Campbell. “I have a lot of respect for a lot of guys in this league and how hard everyone works, battles and competes out there. It’s always a special feeling when the guys you line up against every night recognize you for an award like this.”