Medicine Hat Duo Among Winners as CHL Honours Major Junior Hockey's Best at 2026 Awards
Photo by Josh Kim / CHL
TORONTO — Alberta's presence was felt across the Canadian Hockey League's biggest stage Monday afternoon as the Medicine Hat Tigers produced two national award winners at the 2026 CHL Awards.
Medicine Hat captain Bryce Pickford, a native of Chauvin, Alta., was named CHL Defenceman of the Year, while Tigers forward Markus Ruck helped the Alberta-based club claim a second major honour by capturing the CHL Top Scorer Award.
The annual celebration of major junior hockey's top players and coaches was headlined by Chicoutimi Saguenéens forward Maxim Massé, who earned the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award after a dominant season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
Massé, an Anaheim Ducks prospect, recorded 102 points in 63 games while helping lead Chicoutimi to its first QMJHL championship in 32 years. The 19-year-old became just the sixth player in CHL history to win both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honours during his career.
Pickford's season was among the most prolific ever produced by a CHL defenceman. The Montreal Canadiens prospect scored 45 goals and added 38 assists in 55 games, posting the highest goal total by a CHL blueliner in nearly four decades.
The 20-year-old also helped the Tigers secure a second consecutive WHL Central Division title and became just the second player in franchise history to capture CHL Defenceman of the Year honours.
Ruck followed with a historic campaign of his own. The 2026 NHL Draft prospect led all CHL skaters with 108 points, including a league-best 87 assists, becoming the first Medicine Hat player since Linden Vey in 2010-11 to finish atop the national scoring race.
The Osoyoos, B.C., product also shared a unique distinction with twin brother Liam Ruck, who finished second in CHL scoring with 104 points. The pair became the first siblings in CHL history to finish first and second in league scoring during the same season.
Moncton Wildcats defenceman Tommy Bleyl earned CHL Rookie of the Year honours after setting a new QMJHL record for points by a rookie defenceman with 81. The 2026 NHL Draft prospect became just the fourth blueliner to receive the award.
Ottawa 67's goaltender Ryder Fetterolf was named CHL Goaltender of the Year following a record-setting rookie season. The 18-year-old led the league with a 2.07 goals-against average and .923 save percentage, becoming only the second rookie netminder in CHL history to claim the honour.
Behind the bench, Everett Silvertips head coach Steve Hamilton captured the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award after guiding the franchise to a record-setting season that included its first WHL championship and first appearance in the Memorial Cup final.
Additional winners announced Monday included Soo Greyhounds defenceman Chase Reid as CHL Top Draft Prospect, Barrie Colts forward Cole Beaudoin as CHL Sportsman Player of the Year, Portland Winterhawks forward Alex Weiermair as CHL Scholastic Player of the Year, and Charlottetown Islanders captain Marcus Kearsey as CHL Humanitarian of the Year.
Presented annually, the CHL Awards recognize excellence across the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, celebrating achievements in performance, leadership, academics and community involvement.