ECHL Announces 2025-26 All-ECHL and Second Team

All-ECHL First Team

Forwards

Simon Pinard (South Carolina Stingrays)- Pinard, 24, has 28 goals and 41 assists for 69 points in 68 games this year with the Stingrays. The 41 assists and 69 points are both career highs for Pinard. He is second in the league with nine game-winning goals. Over the course of his three-year career, the Drummondville, Quebec, native has put up 85 goals and 96 assists for 181 points in 190 games while playing for three different teams. He is the first Stingray since 2018 to be named to the All-ECHL First Team and the first skater since 2008 to earn the prestigious honor.

Brandon Hawkins (Toledo Walleye)- This is the fourth straight season that Hawkins has been named to the All-ECHL First Team. In 67 games, Hawkins has 34 goals and 41 assists for 75 points. It is the fifth straight season that Hawkins has netted 30+ goals in a season. He has been named the ECHL MVP in each of the last two seasons. The Macomb Township, Michigan, native is second in the league in points, assists, and power-play points (31). Hawkins leads the league in power-play goals (14) and shots (292). He has been a staple for the Walleye during his five seasons with the team.

Danny Katic (Allen Americans) – Katic, 25, is having a career year with the Americans, putting up 37 goals and 32 assists for 69 points, along with 107 PIMs in 60 games. He currently leads the league in goals as well as shooting percentage (26.2%). The Porcupine, Ontario, native has put up 92 goals and 88 assists for 180 points in 211 games while playing for three different teams.

Defense

Marcus Crawford (Kansas City Mavericks)- Crawford, 29, has had a breakout season with the Mavericks, as he’s putting up video game numbers with 14 goals and 72 assists for 86 points in 69 games this season. The 72 assists are now a franchise record in Mavericks history. His 86 points are the second-most in league history by a defenseman behind Tom Nemeth, who had 91 during the 1993-94 season with the Dayton Bombers during the 1993-94 season. The Ajax, Ontario, native currently leads the league in points, assists, power-play assists (33), and power-play points (39).

Chad Nychuk (Atlanta Gladiators)- Nychuk, 25, has had a solid season on the Gladiators blueline, putting up eight goals and 45 assists for 53 points in 66 games. His 45 assists are a new franchise record by a Gladiatos defenseman. The Rossburn, Manitoba, native is the only defenseman and one of three players who are perfect in shootout attempts this season. Over the course of his four seasons in the ECHL with the Atlanta Gladiators and Kalamazoo Wings, he’s put up 18 goals and 78 assists for 96 points in 145 games.

Goaltender

Cam Johnson (Florida Everblades)- Johnson, 31, has now made the All-ECHL First Team in back-to-back seasons. In 47 games this season with the Everblades, he’s posted a 29-9-9 record with a 1.86 GAA, .922SV%, and three shutouts. He currently leads the league in GAA, wins, and minutes played (2,845). Johnson also took home the Nick Vitucci Award last season for Goaltender of the Year.

All-ECHL Second Team

Forwards

Danny Dzhaniyev (Utah Grizzlies) – The 5’5 forward continues to add to his accolades this season after being named to the All-Rookie Team. Dzhaniyev played in all 72 games this season, and he’s put up 24 goals and 49 assists for 73 points. As a rookie, he’s third in assists, tied for third in points, and fourth in power-play assists. This is certainly an impressive feat for a player who is on the 21st-ranked team in the ECHL.

Brendan Hoffman (Idaho Steelheads)- Hoffman, 24, had 32 goals and 19 assists for 51 points in 44 games this season with the Steelheads. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has been up in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda since Valentine’s Day, where he’s put up four goals and six assists for 10 points in 21 games. He still leads the Steelheads in both goals and points despite only playing in 44 games in the ECHL.

Brannon McManus (Adirondack Thunder)- McManus, 26, has had a breakout year this season with Adirondack, putting up 30 goals and 35 assists for 65 points in 69 games. He is the fourth player in the Thunder’s franchise to put up 30+ goals and the first since Tristan Ashbrook during the 2023-24 season. The Newport Beach, California, native was named to the ECHL All-Star game for the first time in his career and was named the MVP of the All-Star Game.

Defenseman

Jordan Sambrook (Florida Everblades)- The 28-year-old defenseman is having a career year as he’s put up nine goals and 37 assists for 46 points along with an incredible +60 rating in 70 games. His +60 rating is currently the highest in the ECHL. Sambrook is currently ninth among all defensemen this season in points.

Nikita Sedov (Bloomington Bison)- Sedov, 24, has 13 goals and 45 assists for 58 points in 65 games in his first season in North America. The Russian defenseman is currently second among defensemen in goals and assists this season. He is also wearing an “A” this season for the Bison. Sedov currently holds the record for goals, assists, and points in a season by a Bloomington defenseman.

Goaltender

Jack LaFontaine (Kansas City Mavericks)- LaFontaine, 28, is having a fantastic season as he’s led the Mavericks to the Brabham Cup. In 28 games, he’s put up a 22-2-3 record with a 1.98 GAA, .929SV%, and four shutouts. He’s second in the league in GAA and SV%. This included a seven-game winning streak during this season as well. The Mississauga, Ontario, native also became the winningest goaltender in Mavericks franchise history this season.

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