NA3HL Announced Final Awards for 2025-26 Season

As the curtain closes on an incredible 2025-26 NA3HL season, it’s time to hand out the final, and most prestigious honors. Today, we celebrate the best of the best, revealing this year’s Organization, Coach, General Manager, Rookie, Forward, Defenseman, Goaltender and Most Valuable Player of the Year. These standout individuals were chosen by the people who know the game best: the 38 NA3HL Head Coaches.

Forward of the Year & Most Valuable Player:

Ty Smith, Granite City Lumberjacks

Some might call him a myth, some might call him a legend, but one thing is for sure: Ty Smith has cemented his legacy with the NA3HL and the Granite City organization. The 5-foot-11 righty from Chaska, Minnesota, Smith delivered night after night for the Lumberjacks. This season, the second-year veteran scored 85 points in the regular season, tallying 43 goals and 42 assists in just 42 games played. He averaged two points per game for Granite City. This year, Smith tallied 13 goals on the man advantage while delivering 10 game-winning goals for his team. His play-making was crucial all season long for Granite City, and Smith’s ability to help prevent the opposing team from scoring while on the ice was crucial as well. He featured a +52 rating during the regular season for the West Division team.

​This season, he earned two West Division First Star of the Week honors and was named as February's Forward of the Month. Heading into the playoffs, Smith was riding a 14-game point streak with 10 of those games being multi-point contests. In addition to earning league awards, Smith broke organizational records for the Lumberjacks. Smith now holds the single-season goal record and sits atop the all-time leading points record for Granite City. His work on the ice earned him recognition as a Top Prospect for the 2026 Top Prospects Tournament at the USA Hockey Arena. Smith tallied three goals during the two-day event.

In the postseason, the ‘06 forward played a crucial role in punching Granite City’s ticket to the Fraser Cup Championship. He tied up game three against the Alexandria Blizzard with 17 seconds to spare, keeping the Lumberjacks’ hopes alive. Smith tallied three goals while making five assists in that five-game span during the playoffs. Once in St. Louis, Missouri, the second-year Lumberjack spotlighted five assists in their four games played at the Fraser Cup. Smith helped to lift his team to a Fraser Cup Championship, notching number five for Granite City.

Head coach of the Lumberjacks, DJ Vold, went into detail on what it means to see Smith named to the honors.

“First and foremost, we are thrilled that Ty has been chosen for this award, and I can't think of a person or player more deserving. Ty has embodied what it means to be a Lumberjack since he got here, both on and off the ice. I could not think of a better way to top off the record-breaking year that he has had for our organization. He will go down as one of the best players to ever wear a Lumberjacks jersey, and we wish him the best of luck next year moving up to the NAHL.

 

Defenseman of the Year:

Caden Feinstein, Helena Bighorns

The ‘06 skater from Madison, Wisconsin, Caden Feinstein, was more than fine this season. The second-year Helena veteran dominated from the blue line. Feinstein played a crucial scoring role for the Bighorns all season long. This year, he tallied 20 goals while making 30 assists for Helena in the regular season. He featured some of the top offensive production of a defenseman in the league. He ranks second league-wide during the regular season with his +41 rating on the year.

In addition, the Wisconsin native was named to the Defenseman of the Month honors in November thanks to his 14-point month. He tallied seven goals while making seven assists in just seven games played. His work on the ice earned him the recognition as a Top Prospect this season. Feinstein played on Team White at the USA Hockey Arena during the annual Top Prospects Tournament. Out of 44 regular-season games, the second-year blueliner showed up on the scoresheet for 30 of them with Helena. His work on the ice helped to clinch the Helena Bighorns a spot at the 2026 Fraser Cup.

​Head coach of the Bighorns, Damon Hanson, shares more on why Feinstein is deserving of this award.

“This is such an incredible and well-deserved honor for Caden. He’s been a huge part of our success over the past couple of seasons, and it’s been a privilege to watch him grow—not just as a player, but as a person.

Hason went into detail on what it has meant to coach Feinstein.

“Coaching Caden has truly been an honor. He’s an outstanding hockey player, but even more importantly, he’s an exceptional person off the ice and within our community. A true leader in every sense of the word.”

 

Goaltender of the Year:

Sam Ahl, West Bend Power

Come one, come all! The netminder from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sam Ahl, dominated in the crease all season for the West Bend Power. Ahl is a first-year netminder playing most of his year with the Power. One thing Ahl did throughout the regular season was notch wins. The 5-foot-11 goalie was perfect for West Bend, winning all 14 games he played in net. Ahl featured a dominant 2.11 goals-against average and .921 save percentage during the regular season, winning Star of the Week honors once this year. Prior to playing with West Bend, he played for the Granite City Lumberjacks in four contests. Ahl was perfect in the net during that stint, winning all four games.

In the postseason, Ahl was just as strong as he was in the regular season. The Wisconsin native featured a 1.41 goals-against average and .952 save percentage in his five games played in the Fraser Cup Playoffs. Two of his victories came in shutout back-to-back fashion. In the Division Finals, Ahl notched his first two losses of the season to the Rochester Grizzlies; however, both losses were in one-goal games.

Head coach of the Power, Jason Woods, shares more on the dominant season for Ahl.

“What a fantastic season for Sam. The perseverance he showed as he navigated the NAHL and NA3HL world is nothing short of remarkable. Through it all, he wound up in West Bend, put his heart into his game and his team, and built a season to remember. Sam became the anchor to a team that played in the very difficult Central Division and dominated.”

 

Rookie of the Year:

Gavin Erickson, Goaltender, Texas Brahmas

Hailing from Fargo, North Dakota, and making an impact in his first season in the NA3HL, Gavin Erickson goes home with the Rookie of the Year honors with his work in the crease all season long for the Texas Brahmas. The 6-foot-1 netminder featured an impressive 1.92 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in the regular season. Night after night, Erickson backstopped the Brahmas, lifting his team to 22 victories in his 29 games played. In addition, the ‘07 goaltender featured three shutout performances in his debut season. The North Dakota native wrapped up the regular season with Goaltender of the Month honors in February. Erickson faced heavy volume throughout the month, seeing 247 shots and turning aside 231 for a .940 save percentage and a 2.26 goals-against average.

In the playoffs, Erickson notched four wins in his six games played before heading to St. Louis, Missouri. Three of those victories came in extra minutes, helping to punch the Brahmas a ticket to the Show-Me State. He featured an impressive 1.77 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage in that span.

Head coach of the Brahmas, Michael Rooney, shares his excitement for Erickson’s recognition to the honor.

“We’re thrilled to see Gavin achieve this accolade. His dedication to his family, faith, and the trust instilled in him by the team allowed him to establish the foundation for an amazing season. Each day, his professionalism and confidence grew, making him one of the most consistent goalies in the league. He’s a special player, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for his future.” 

 

Coach and General Manager of the Year:

Marty Raymond, Rochester Grizzlies

Marty Raymond is coming off his first season as a head coach with the Rochester Grizzlies. Raymond helped to lift the Grizzlies to their first Fraser Cup Championship appearance since 2022, when Rochester took home the title. His critical decision-making in acquiring big-time players at the trade deadline while coaching his team in a tough Central Division is why Raymond goes home with both the Coach and General Manager of the Year titles. Under his leadership, the Grizzlies punched their ticket to the Fraser Cup by upsetting the West Bend Power in the Central Division Final. While in St. Louis, Missouri, the Grizzlies made it to the Fraser Cup Semifinals to lose in overtime to the eventual 2026 Fraser Cup Champions, the Granite City Lumberjacks. Under his guidance, the Rochester Grizzlies surpassed expectations game after game.

Raymond shares how it feels to be recognized for the awards.

“I am extremely thankful for these awards and honored to receive my colleagues' recognition. This distinction is shared with our organization, coaching and front office staff, and players who battled throughout the year.”

 

Organization of the Year:

Granite City Lumberjacks

Following clinching their fifth Fraser Cup Championship, the Granite City Lumberjacks earn another huge distinction, the Organization of the Year honor. Granite City has and continues their sustained excellence through their dedication to the players’ development and experience. From providing top accommodations to the athletes, presenting a great show inside the arena and on the broadcast, to developing their athletes for the next level, the Lumberjacks do it all right.

NA3HL Deputy Commissioner, Tyler Giwerowski, shares more on why the Lumberjacks organization goes home with the title.

“The Granite City Lumberjacks have set a standard for what it means to be a model organization in the NA3HL. Their commitment to player development while consistently advancing players to the NAHL and the collegiate level speaks volumes about their culture, coaching, and leadership. The Lumberjacks captured the 2026 Fraser Cup; this honor as Organization of the Year is a reflection of sustained excellence both on and off the ice.”