ROCKFORD, IL. - The Rockford IceHogs announced today the winners of the organization's annual Team Awards for the 2025-26 season.

This season's selections are as follows:

TEAM MVP: Drew Commesso

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Nick Lardis

DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR: Ethan Del Mastro

UNSUNG HERO: Jamie Engelbert

HEAVY HITTER: Dillon Boucher and Connor Mylymok

MOST IMPROVED: Taige Harding

MAN OF THE YEAR: Brett Seney

TEAM MVP: Drew Commesso
In his third full season with the IceHogs, goaltender Drew Commesso enjoyed more success as his development continued in Rockford. Commesso set a new record for overtime wins by an IceHogs' goaltender recording the 7th of his AHL career. The 23-year-old's 7th career shutout moved him into 2nd place all-time amongst Rockford net minders. He earned two separate recalls to the Chicago Blackhawks. On January 10, 2026, the Norwell, MA native earned his first NHL win with a 36-save shutout performance over the Predators.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Nick Lardis
After a record-setting final year at the Junior ranks, Nick Lardis took on the professional level and passed with flying colors. The 20-year-old, was named the AHL's Rookie of the Month following his first three weeks with the IceHogs in which he recorded 12 points in eight games. His seven power play goals lead the IceHogs roster and his 18 goals rank second on the club. The Oakville, ON native made his NHL debut on December, 13 2025 and scored his first goal with the Blackhawks the following week.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE YEAR: Ethan Del Mastro
Ethan Del Mastro continued to take major strides in his third professional season, splitting time between Rockford and Chicago. In 45 games with the IceHogs, the defenseman recorded two goals and 18 assists. Head Coach Jared Nightingale described the 23-year-old as a "horse" and was often relied on to play high even strength, penalty kill and power play minutes. The lefty from Ontario played in his 200th professional game while skating with the Blackhawks in April.

UNSUNG HERO: Jamie Engelbert
In his first full season as a pro, Jamie Engelbert made contributions up and down the IceHogs lineup. Engelbert, 25, pocketed 26 points in his AHL rookie season and had a balanced impact on the Rockford power play and penalty kill. The Coburg, ON native's strong play was rewarded with a contract extension to bring the power forward back to the Stateline for the 2026-27 campaign.

HEAVY HITTER: Dillon Boucher and Connor Mylymok
IceHogs first-year forwards Dillon Boucher and Connor Mylymok played almost the entirety of the season together skating on Rockford's checking line and serving as protectors for the entire Rockford lineup. Boucher's physical presence was noticeable on every shift he took, earning 112 penalty minutes and picking up 10 fights. The Nova Scotia native pitched in with three goals and five assists offensively as well. Mylymok led all league first-years with 187 PIMs and 10 fights. The lefty from Jackson, MS tacked on three goals and five assists in 50 games with the IceHogs. Both forwards re-signed with the IceHogs for 2026-27 during the season.

MOST IMPROVED: Taige Harding
Defenseman Taige Harding joined the IceHogs at the tail end of the 2024-25 regular season skating in eight games. This season during his first pro year, the Alberta native improved his game every week. Harding finished his rookie campaign with seven points and scored his first AHL goal on February 14, 2026 in a win on home ice over Milwaukee. The 24-year-old inserted more and more physicality into his game as the season continued and didn't shy away from dropping the gloves plenty of times in the back-half of the season.

MAN OF THE YEAR: Brett Seney
Brett Seney proved to be more than a team captain on the ice; he was also a leader in the community. Seney helped coordinate player donations around the holidays to support the IceHogs' annual "Adopt-A-Family" initiative and actively volunteered his time reading books to kids at local schools and day care facilities. Along with All-Star teammates Kevin Korchinski and Nick Lardis, Seney stayed on the ice at the AHL All-Star Skills Competition until every last fan had received an autograph. As part of the All-Star Classic, Seney also participated in a community visit to Conklin Academy Elementary School where he joined fellow All-Stars in teaching kids the finer points of hockey. In everything he did in the community,  he represented the IceHogs organization with enthusiasm, class and generosity.