The Western Michigan hockey program unveiled its annual award recipients for the 2025‑26 season, capping a campaign that saw the Broncos finish with 27 victories and secure a fifth consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament.
A Season to Remember
From dominant defensive play to offensive firepower, the awards reflected the breadth of talent that helped the team exceed expectations.
Among the honorees, goaltender Hampton Slukynsky earned the prestigious Rob Hodge MVP after posting a 2.30 goals‑against average and a .915 save percentage en route to 27 wins.
Defenseman Samuel Sjolund was recognized with the Neil Smith Most Valuable Defenseman award, tallying 29 points from the blue line.
Forward Grant Slukynsky captured the Vic Vanderberg Leading Scorer honor with a 40‑point season that placed him among the nation’s most prolific scorers.
Freshman Bobby Cowan received the Susan Klop Rookie of the Year award after contributing 24 points in his debut campaign.
Other notable recognitions included Ty Henricks’ Ed Edwards Most Improved award, Liam Valente’s Catherine Lawson Sportsmanship Award, Garrett Szydlowski’s KOHA Grinder accolade, Zaccharya Wisdom’s Bill Saunders Plus/Minus Award, and Kirk Laursen’s Peter Ellis Academic Award despite missing much of the season due to injury.
Pat Ferschweiler, the team’s head coach, praised the collective effort that made the season possible, highlighting the program’s commitment to excellence on and off the ice.
Future Outlook
With the roster poised for another strong showing, the Broncos look to build on their recent success as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA tournament.
The program also continues to collaborate with partners such as the Western Michigan hockey program, the NCAA, and the NCHC, leveraging resources from wmich.edu, ncaa.org and nchchockey.com to sustain its competitive edge.