2026 Men’s Awards: COTY, POTY, ROTY, & All-Rookie Teams Announced!

Here’s our first round of 2026 DIIIHockeyNews.com end-of-season men’s awards, our website will be fully updated in the coming weeks showing these awards on the “Awards” tab, but for now, here’s your Coach of the year, Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, & All-Rookie Team!

*We emphasize the fact that awards are not given solely on points, but voter opinions, meaningful-game analysis, & individual review. This is especially geared toward the D position at times.

Coach of the Year
Rob Haberbusch – Hamilton College

Head Coach Rob Haberbusch & his Hamilton Continentals slayed the dragon known as Hobart in the National Championship game, winning 2-1 in overtime. Coach Haberbusch led his team to a 19-5-2 record following their semifinal loss in the NESCAC playoffs, then rattled off four NCAA tournament wins en route to their first-ever National Championship.

2026 NCAA Tournament Run:

W 6-2 vs #14 Neumann (17-9-2)
W 2-1 (OT) vs #10 Norwich (19-6-4)
W 6-3 vs #7 Aurora (25-6-1)
W 2-1 vs #1 Hobart (30-1-0)

Player of the Year
Damon Beaver – Hobart College

Damon Beaver is the 2026 DIIIHockeyNews.com Player of the Year & will always be in the conversation as arguably the greatest goaltender in the history of Division III Men’s Hockey. Beaver finishes the season with the following:

• 20-1-0
• 0.99 GAA (20 goals against)
• .951 SV%
• 392 saves
• 7 shutouts

Beaver ends his career with the following (along with many league-specific awards):

• 73-5-1
• 26 shutouts (NCAA men’s record)
• 1.02 GAA (81 goals against)
• .955 SV%
• 1,732 saves
• 3 National Championships
• 1 National Runner-Up
• 2026 Sid Watson Award Winner
• DIIIHockeyNews.com First Team East 2025 & 2026

Rookie of the Year
Keenan Ingram – Wisconsin-River Falls

Keenan Ingram had quite the opening season for Wisconsin-River Falls in the WIAC. He’s earned our Rookie of the Year award.

• 26 goals
• 17 assists
• 43 points
• Three hat-tricks & nine powerplay goals
• First player to ever win both WIAC POTY & ROTY in the same season.
• AHCA First Team All American as a freshman

All-Rookie Team
F – Keenan Ingram – Wisconsin-River Falls

*see achievements above

F – Jaden Davis – Aurora University

• 13 goals
• 20 assists
• 33 points
• NCHA Co-Freshman of the year (Brody Simko)
• Scored game-tying goal against Endicott in the NCAA Quarterfinals

F – Brody Simko – Trine University

• 12 goals
• 22 assists
• 34 points
• NCHA Co-Freshman of the Year (Jaden Davis)

D – Étienne Tremblay-Mathieu – Plymouth State University

• 9 goals
• 19 assists
• 28 points
• LEC Rookie of the Year

D – Caden Pendo – Chatham University

• 8 goals
• 20 assists
• 28 points
• First Team UCHC & UCHC All-Rookie Team

G – Peter Sterling – Endicott College

• 21-4-2
• 1.63 GAA
• .933 SV%
• 5 shutouts
• CNE Goaltender of the Year
• CNE Rookie of the Year
• CNE All-Conference First Team
• Received first round bye to the NCAA Quarterfinal Round

Summary

COTY – Rob Haberbusch (Hamilton College)
POTY – Damon Beaver (Hobart College)
ROTY – Keenan Ingram (Wisconsin-River Falls)
All-Rookie Team:
F – Keenan Ingram (Wisconsin-River Falls)
F – Jaden Davis (Aurora University)
F – Brody Simko (Trine University)
D – Étienne Tremblay-Mathieu (Plymouth State University)
D – Caden Pendo (Chatham University)
G – Peter Sterling (Endicott College)