After an unforgettable season filled with huge moments, standout performances, and incredible support from the stands, the fans of the Manchester Storm have had their say.

Following fan voting, we are proud to announce the winners of the club’s 2025/26 End of Season Award winners – celebrating the players who made this campaign truly special, both on and off the ice.

 

Forward of the Year

Brady Gilmour

A constant offensive spark all season long, Brady delivered when it mattered most. His consistency, creativity, and ability to produce points night after night made him a standout performer and a clear fan favourite.

Season Stats:

• Games Played: 68
• Goals: 20
• Assists: 40
• Points: 60
• Points Per Game: 0.88

Brady said:

“I’ve loved my time here this year. From the fans, the staff, and my teammates it’s been great. Obviously, we came up short of our end goal but I’m proud of our efforts all year. It’s an honour to get this recognition from the fans, as I know we had a ton of other deserving guys in that room this year. Thank you!”

 

Defenceman of the Year

Nick Welsh

A leader on the blue line, Nick combined defensive strength with offensive impact, playing huge minutes and setting the tone game after game.

Season Stats:

• Games Played: 68
• Goals: 14
• Assists: 36
• Points: 50
• Plus/Minus: +4

Nick said:

“First of all, I want to say thank you to all my teammates and coaches. They all made this season such an incredible experience for me and I really feel like the reason we accomplished so much this season is because we had such a close knit group.

 

“Also thank you to Ryan and Emma, Nothing we did this year would be possible without them and they really do a good job of making this organisation feel like a big family.

 

“I’m really grateful for all the fans and everyone who voted on this award, we definitely felt all the support this year at the storm shelter and it was a huge part of our success throughout the season.”

 

Rookie of the Year

Brendon Clavelle

A hugely impressive debut campaign saw Brendon step confidently into the EIHL, earning trust, big minutes, and recognition as one of the league’s most exciting young defencemen.

Season Stats:

• Games Played: 68
• Goals: 3
• Assists: 12
• Points: 15
• +/-: +4

Brendon said:

“It was an honour to play and represent the storm this year! I want to thank the fans for their unwavering support and my coaches and teammates for making it an unforgettable year.”

 

Unsung Hero

JD Dudek

Not always in the spotlight, but consistently effective and always playing with a strong work ethic, JD’s all-around game made him invaluable.

Season Stats:

• Games Played: 67
• Goals: 16
• Assists: 12
• Points: 28

 

JD said:

“I’m extremely honoured with this award and it means a lot to me. It was super easy to have fun, be myself and play to the best of my abilities because my teammates were so great around me. I owe this award to all of them and their hard work during this season.”

 

Pops Memorial Award

Rais Francis

A truly meaningful honour, the Pops Memorial Award recognises outstanding contribution to the Storm community – and Rais embodied that spirit every single day.

Season Stats:

• Games Played: 68
• Goals: 3
• Assists: 4
• Points: 7

Rais said:

“I am really appreciative to receive the Pops Memorial Award for this season. Since arriving in Manchester, this club has taken me in as one of their own.

 

“I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in fan events, school visits and interacting with everyone on match nights has been something I have really enjoyed participating in.

 

“I would like to thank the fans, my teammates, our coaches and the ownership group for an unbelievable season.”

 

Most Improved Player

Brad Jenion

Brad’s growth across the season was clear to see, stepping up his game and embracing a bigger role with determination and commitment.

Season Stats:

• Games Played: 54
• Goals: 3
• Assists: 2
• Points: 5

Brad said:

“It’s an honour to win the Most Improved Player. I’d like to thank all the fans who voted and supported me all year. It’s been an extremely enjoyable year, which makes it an easy task to come to the rink every day to try and get better.”

 

Celebration of the Season

Loren Ulett – Pride Night OT Winner

One of the most iconic moments of the season came on 25th January 2026, when Loren fired home an unforgettable overtime winner against the Belfast Giants – a moment that perfectly captured the passion of this team and its fans and a celebration that brought everyone together.

Season Stats:

• Games Played: 64
• Goals: 16
• Assists: 15
• Points: 31

Loren said:

“I’m honoured to receive this award. The Storm fans are a massive part of what makes this club so special and I’m glad I had the chance to celebrate a little closer than usual on that one.

 

“I’m proud of what we achieved this season in setting a new standard and making the club’s first-ever trip to Play-off Finals Weekend. The fans have been like a sixth skater for us all year and they make it all possible.”

 

Player of the Season | Coach’s Player of the Season | Fan Favourite

Drew DeRidder

It’s a phenomenal clean sweep for Drew in a season where his performances in net were nothing short of outstanding, where he delivered consistency, composure, and provided clutch saves all season long.

Season Stats:

• Games Played: 43
• Wins: 19
• Save %: 93.40
• GAA: 2.45
• Shutouts: 2

Drew said:

“I’m incredibly honoured to receive each of these awards, and they all mean so much to me.

 

“I’ve loved every second of this season, and it’s been a privilege to be part of such a great group.

“I’d like to thank my teammates and the staff, but most of all I want to thank the fans. Your unconditional support makes a huge difference, and it never goes unnoticed.”

 

Coach Critchlow had the following to say:

“Drew had a excellent year, his compete levels in both games and practice influence the standard our team want to and made players around him better.

He is a player you can always count on in big moments and the accolades he has been recognized for this season are a direct indication of that.”

 

A Season to Remember

The 2025/26 season will be remembered as a landmark campaign for the Storm, going down as one of the most exciting and defining in Storm history.

With relentless determination, incredible team spirit, and unforgettable moments, the Storm battled their way to a Play-off Finals Weekend appearance, setting a new benchmark for the club.

More than just results, this season was about connection between players, staff, and the incredible fans who turned the Storm Shelter into one of the most electric atmospheres in the league.

Thank You, Storm Fans! From the first puck drop to the final whistle, your support never wavered.

You weren’t just watching – you were part of it.

See you in 2026/27, Manchester! The best is yet to come.