KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan hockey team announced its annual team awards with sophomore defenseman Ronnie Attard being named the Rob Hodge Most Valuable Player.

Attard was named a First Team CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association West All-American after he was voted the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Offensive Defenseman of the Year. The Philadelphia Flyer's draft pick led all defenseman in scoring in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference with 22 points on eight goals and 14 assists, also finishing the regular season tied for second nationally. Attard is the first defenseman to earn the team's MVP award since Wayne Gagne in 1987. The White Lake, Mich., native was also voted the Neil Smith Most Valuable Defenseman.

Junior forward Drew Worrad won the Vic Vanderberg Top Scorer award after leading the team with 23 points on five goals and a team-high 18 points. Worrad's point total was a new career high despite playing in just 25 games in the COVID-shortened season. For the second straight season he was also honored with the Dickie & Ross  Brown and Gold Award, given to the Bronco that consistently gives 100 percent as a team member, student, and a community member to make his teammates and Bronco Hockey better each day. 

Sophomore forward Jason Polin was voted the Ed Edwards Most Improved Player Award. The Holt, Mich., native had 14 points on seven goals and seven assists in 23 games, increasing his point output from his freshman season by five points. 

Senior captain Paul Washe earned the Bill Saunders Scoring Chance Plus/Minus Award for creating the most scoring chances on the season, while classmate Ethen Frank was named the Blue Line Club Best Conditioned Athlete. Washe was also given the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association Grinder Award, given to the student-athlete that shows consistent grit and perseverance in games and in practice.

Defenseman Aidan Fulp was named the Suzanne Klopp Rookie of the Year after playing in all 25 games on the season and finishing with 11 points, all assists. Senior defenseman Kale Bennett earned named the Peter R. Ellis Academic for the fourth straight season. Bennett was also awarded the NCHC Post Graduate Scholarship Award at the end of the season by the conference. 

Senior goalie Austin Cain was given the Michael Kuras Bronco Hockey Humanitarian for the second straight season. The award is in honor of Michael Kuras. Kuras, who lost a battle with cancer in 2020, had been around the program for five seasons as a guest at practice and at many Bronco Hockey games. The mood was always lifted during Kuras' visits and the team cheered him on during his battle with cancer.