2025 NAHL Yearly Awards Announced

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 NAHL Awards. The selections were based on performances during the 2024-25 regular season, as voted upon by the league’s 35 Head Coaches, the NAHL’s Board of Governors, and the NAHL front office.  

General Manager of the Year: François Méthot, Rochester Jr. Americans

In their second season in the league, the Rochester Jr. Americans continued their success as an organization on and off the ice with the help of François Méthot serving as the Head Coach and General Manager. His expertise in helping players develop while guiding the team to postseason success has put him in a spot of distinction. 

Méthot shares what it means to receive this award. 

“As the General Manager, receiving the Hockey General Manager of the Year award is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the incredible support and dedication from our entire organization. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our owner, Chris O'Donnell, whose unwavering belief in our vision has been the cornerstone of our success. His leadership inspires us daily and sets a standard for excellence. Additionally, our phenomenal coaching and scouting staff deserve immense recognition; their tireless efforts to identify and nurture talent have been instrumental in building a competitive team. This award is a testament to the synergy between our scouting, coaching, and management teams and underscores our commitment not only to winning but also to fostering a culture of teamwork and resilience. Together, we are cultivating a supportive environment for our players, enabling them to excel both on the ice and in their academic pursuits.”

 

Organization of the Year: Watertown Shamrocks

As a first-year organization in the NAHL, the Watertown Shamrocks have made strong roots in the Watertown community during their inaugural season. With 20 sellout crowds, over 600 hours of community service, and 12 NCAA commitments, the Shamrocks had made a huge splash in their first year. 

President of the Shamrocks, Ryan Bisgard shares more on the excitement of winning the award.

“We are so honored to accept the league award of Organization of the Year. Thanks to the dedication of the players, coaching staff, front office, game day staff, and most importantly, the community of Watertown, the Shamrocks have been able to build a long-lasting foundation for years to come. I am immensely proud of what our organization has been able to achieve in such a short amount of time and can’t wait to see what is in store for Watertown, on and off the ice.”

Chairman of the Watertown Shamrocks, Vince Foley, went into detail on what it means for the team to earn the Organization of the Year honors.

“We appreciate the recognition offered by the league to our staff.  Our front office, broadcast team, athletic training, and coaches worked tirelessly and brought imagination and energy to creating a Shamrocks team Watertown can be proud to call its own.  We also appreciate the support and mentorship of the other Central Division teams' staff as our team worked through our build-out.”

 

Executive of the Year: Aaron Schutt, Anchorage Wolverines

Aaron Schutt, a co-owner of the Wolverines, earns the distinction of Executive of the Year thanks to his leadership of the team. This season the Wolverines were able to move into the Sullivan Arena and packed the arena throughout the year. With the help of Scutt’s guidance, the Wolverines have continued to elevate their footprint in the Anchorage community and serve as one of the top teams in the league. 

President of the Anchorage Wolverines, Isaiah Vreeman, dives into detail on Schutt’s commitment to the team.

“Aaron Schutt’s recognition as the NAHL Executive of the Year is a reflection of his outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment to growing the game of hockey in Alaska and across our league. His strategic approach, steady guidance, and tireless advocacy for our players, staff, and fans have elevated the Anchorage Wolverines and set a standard of excellence throughout the NAHL. We’re incredibly proud of this well-deserved honor.”

 

Volunteer of the Year: Beth Woods, President of Shreveport Mudbugs Booster Club

As the president of the Booster Club, Beth has helped orchestrate and run events for the Shreveport Mudbugs. There are countless events that she has put together to fundraise for the Mudbugs, such as pickleball and golf tournaments, bowling events, 50/50 raffles, jersey raffles, holiday events, and reached out to a multitude of local businesses to help support the team. Beth also helps to provide the Shreveport players with unique experiences in the community. For the past few years, she has taken on a major undertaking of organizing the team to be in their local Mardi Gras parade. She helps to prepare the float, collect beads and items to throw, and clean up at the conclusion of the event. 

Her commitment to the Mudbugs does not end there, she additionally serves as a billet and finds multiple ways to help around the rink. You can find Beth cooking, cleaning, serving meals, and even rolling up football turf. She is the first to jump in to help unload or assist in any capacity. Thanks to her dedication to the Shreveport Mudbugs organization, she and the boosters have prepared, served, and funded around 2300 meals this past season for the Mudbugs and visiting teams. 

Head Coach of the Mudbugs, Jason Campbell, shares more on the impact of Beth.

“Needless to say, if the team or the community needs anything Beth Woods should be your first call. Her commitment to servant leadership makes her a staple of the Mudbugs organization.”

 

Leadership Award: Jackson Stimple, Anchorage Wolverines 

Jackson Stimple is a second-year skater for the Wolverines and has served as the captain this past season. The Ohio native has served as a leader in all facets of Anchorage. 

Head Coach of the Wolverines, Nick Walters, explains that “from day one you could tell he was going to lead our team this year. He has a presence about him that makes people want to follow.”

His ability to inspire the team on the ice, in the locker room, in the classroom, and the community, has been a cornerstone of the Anchorage Wolverines roster. 

“He is always the one to step up and say something pregame or in between periods when our team needs to hear it, which isn't always easy to do in front of your peers as a young man,” said Walters. “He is a leader on our team when it comes to volunteering in the community, but what has impressed me most is the time he puts into his teammates. He is always the last to leave the locker room, helping and showing his teammates how to hang their gear and make sure the locker room is clean.”

Stimple’s commitment to the team is also shown in the classroom.

“He is constantly tutoring teammates in school and for the SAT/ACT,” stated Walters. “He organizes team events and makes sure that we have full attendance. He is the first to welcome a new guy on the team by introducing himself. He has embodied what it means to be an Anchorage Wolverine. It's because of guys like him that will make my job easier in the future. Because now the next guy will step up and do the same things.”

 

Community Service Award: Owen Chartier, Watertown Shamrocks

Chartier is a first-year skater in the NAHL. The ‘07 forward has accumulated over 60 hours of community service this season. He has spent his time volunteering for a multitude of groups and organizations in Watertown, with most of his time working with groups involving disadvantaged youth and handicapped-accessible children. Some of these groups include:

• Joy Ranch (a fully handicap-accessible ranch for children and other groups)
• Watertown’s People Against Child Hunger
• Watertown’s Jaycee’s Shopping Tour (helping disadvantaged families have a merrier Christmas)
• Watertown’s Girls Rule (empowering at-risk girls through leadership development and building self-confidence)
• Watertown’s Youth Hockey
• Watertown’s Lions Club
• Reading at local elementary schools
• Visiting residents at The Village of Harmony Hills (assisted living facility)
• Salvation Army bell ringing

“We are beyond proud of Owen’s accomplishment in winning the Community Service Award. Owen has taken great pride in entrenching himself in the Watertown community,” said Head Coach of the Shamrocks, Casey Kirley. “Winning this award, especially as a first-year junior player, is truly a special accomplishment. As an organization, we value development, advancement, and involvement in the community, and Owen has embraced each of these aspects to the fullest extent.”

 

USPA Academic Achievement Award: Kirby Perler, Johnstown Tomahawks

Kirby Perler is a first-year skater in the NAHL. The Connecticut native is one of the younger skaters in the league. Perler is currently 18 years old and played his rookie season during his senior year of high school. While balancing hockey and high school, Perler featured a 5.0 GPA and is currently committed to playing Division I hockey for Yale. His dedication to his schoolwork while playing with the Tomahawks earned him the USPA Academic Achievement honor.

Head coach of the Tomahawks, Jared Kersner, shares what he has seen from Perler. 

"I’m very happy to see Kirby receive the Academic Achievement Award—though I’m not surprised. His grades and test scores speak for themselves and are a clear indication of why he’ll be successful at Yale. Kirby approaches everything he does with the mindset of a student. He asks thoughtful questions, takes detailed notes, reviews material carefully, and applies what he’s learned effectively. Whether in the classroom, during video meetings, at practice, or in games, he consistently reflects on both his successes and mistakes in order to improve. He’s a tireless worker, and that dedication will serve him well throughout his life."

 

Broadcaster of the Year: Joey Erickson, Corpus Christi IceRays

Joey Erickson serves as the voice of the IceRays and works as the Broadcast and Media Relations Manager for the Texas team. Erickson is a St. Cloud State alum and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications/Media Studies. His work on the call was recognized by his fellow broadcasters. Before joining the Corpus Christi organization, Erickson worked as the voice of the Chippewa Steel in the Midwest Division. 

Erickson explains that “it's extremely humbling just to be nominated for this award. The amount of hours each of us put in for every broadcast may go unnoticed by some. That's why being recognized by my fellow peers makes me incredibly grateful. I'm very fortunate to be able to do what I do for a living and make relationships with other broadcasters within the league.”

 

NATV Production of the Year: Anchorage Wolverines

As one of the younger organizations in the league, the Anchorage Wolverines have exercised a commitment to providing the best at-home viewing experience. From providing pregame coverage, an on-ice camera op, coach interviews during intermissions, to a multi-cam setup, Anchorage has found ways to innovate the broadcast year after year. The Wolverines were recognized for their work by their fellow teams across the league. 

 

About the Awards:

General Manager of the Year: Recognizes the individual who demonstrates excellence in leading their organization to success and shows dedicated commitment to the team.

Organization of the Year: The Organization of the Year Award recognizes a team that has demonstrated exceptional achievement both on and off the ice. This award honors an organization that has shown outstanding performance, leadership, and commitment to player development, community engagement, and organizational growth. The recipient of this award exemplifies the highest standards of excellence in fostering a positive environment, supporting their athletes' goals, and contributing to the overall success and integrity of the league.

Executive of the Year: Presented to the dedicated executive that features outstanding leadership and commitment to growing their team in their market. 

Volunteer of the Year: Presented to a dedicated individual within the NAHL community who has gone above and beyond in their support, making a meaningful and lasting impact on their organization through exceptional service and commitment.

Leadership Award: Recognizing a player who exemplifies outstanding leadership both on and off the ice. This individual consistently leads by example through exceptional performance, inspires and motivates teammates, and demonstrates a strong commitment to community involvement and charitable efforts.

Community Service Award: Awarded to the player who has made the most significant positive impact in his community through outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to giving back.

USPA Academic Achievement Award: This award honors the player who demonstrates outstanding excellence across all areas of academics, achieving the highest levels of success in their studies. 

Broadcaster Award: This award honors outstanding work on the livestream and recognizes the broadcaster who demonstrates a commitment to the broadcasting craft.

NATV Production of the Year: Recognizes the organization’s commitment to providing an outstanding broadcast production for the viewers at home. 

 

Stay tuned for more awards to be announced tomorrow.