ECHL Awards: Defenseman of the Year

The East Coast Hockey League today announced the recipient of the 2022-2023 Defenseman of the Year award. The Defenseman of the Year award is presented annually to the defenseman shown to possess the highest level of ability in the position each year. Last year Utah Grizzlies defenseman Charles-Edouard D’Astous took home the award after posting 57 points (26g, 31a) in 52 games with the Grizzlies.

This year’s award winner is Owen Headrick of the Idaho Steelheads. Owen racked up 54 points through 61 games this season with Idaho, contributing 15 goals and 39 assists to the Steelheads’ record breaking season. His 15 goals led all defensemen this year, with four of those goals being game winners.

In addition to Defenseman of the Year, Headrick was also named to the ECHL’s All-Rookie and All-ECHL First Teams last week. Headrick is the fourth player to be named Defenseman of the Year in their rookie season, joining players Sacha Guimond (2012-13) Brandon Smith (1994-95) and Kelly Szautner (1988-89) in the exclusive club.

Matt Register, also of the Idaho Steelheads, came in second place posting 52 points through 68 games this season. Also nominated for the award were Greenville Swamp Rabbits d-man Max Martin, Michael Brodzinski of the Solar Bears, and the Wichita Thunder’s Cole MacDonald.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Andrew Willis

Andrew Willis is a freelance hockey reporter covering the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen for Inside The Rink and the Vancouver Canucks for The Canuck Way. His work has been featured on Hockey of Tomorrow and The Daily Faceoff, and can be found on Twitter/X @FromTheDrewLine.

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Tahoe Knight Monsters Bring Back Anthony Collins

The Tahoe Knight Monsters have re-signed forward Anthony Collins for the 2025-26 season. Collins played in a career-high 70 games, scoring four goals and adding five assists for nine points. His 66 penalty minutes led the Knight Monsters. Tahoe had the fewest penalty minutes (644) during the 2024-25 season. He becomes the first member of […]

Read More

ECHL: Kansas City Mavericks Hire Brett Ferguson as Assistant Coach

The Kansas City Mavericks have officially announced the addition of Brett Ferguson as an Assistant Coach, bringing with him a well-rounded resume that spans multiple levels of North American hockey. Ferguson’s athletic roots run deep. A dual-sport standout in his youth, he captured two high school state hockey championships and one in baseball. After a […]

Read More

ECHL: Indy Fuel Sign Jadon Joseph

The Indy Fuel have announced their first signing of the 2025-26 season, and it’s a rookie forward, Jadon Joseph. In 28 games last season, he put up three goals and 13 assists for 16 points at the University of Calgary. Joseph would get to play alongside his brother Ranon Joseph during the 2024-25 season. His […]

Read More