KALAMAZOO, Mich. - A pair of Broncos earned NCHC weekly honors, the conference announced on Tuesday, as senior forward William Whitelaw was named Forward of the Week and junior defenseman Joona Väisänen was tabbed as Defenseman of the Week for Oct. 26-Nov. 1.

#5/5 Western Michigan hockey (6-1-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) swept Long Island at Lawson Ice Arena, 10-2 and 7-4 last Thursday and Friday. The duo accounted for seven of WMU's 17 goals last week, and each recorded their first-ever career hat tricks in Thursday's victory, becoming the first pair of NCHC teammates in league history to reach the three-goal mark in the same contest.

Senior forward William Whitelaw earned his third career NCHC Forward of the Week honor and his first this season. He finished the series with seven points (4G-3A), highlighted by a four-goal game in Thursday's 10-2 win. The four goals tied the NCHC single-game record, and the most goals in a game by a Bronco since Ethen Frank on Nov. 19, 2021. He led Division I in points for the week, and his four goals tied for the national lead. Whitelaw added two assists in Friday's 7-4 win and has recorded a point in all seven games this season, the longest streak in the NCHC. His 14 points (7G-7A) are tied for third in the nation.

Junior defenseman Joona Väisänen garnered NCHC Defenseman of the Week honors for the second time this season and the fourth time in his career. He finished the series with five points (3G-2A), recording his first collegiate hat trick in Thursday's win. He is the sixth defenseman in NCHC history to record a hat trick and the third Bronco to do so, joining Ronnie Attard and Michael Joyaux. Last week, he tied for second in the nation in goals and led all defensemen in goals and points. Väisänen has 12 points (5G-7A) this season, second in the nation among defensemen.

The Broncos have gathered six NCHC weekly honors in 2026-27.

NCHC play opens this weekend for WMU in a top-10 battle as they travel to #10/10 North Dakota (4-3-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) for two games at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Friday 7:07 p.m. CT, Saturday 6:07 p.m. CT. The games will stream on NCHC.tv and broadcast on 106.9 FM/590 AM.

FINAL SEASON AT LAWSON
The 2026-27 campaign marks the Final Season at historic Lawson Arena for Western Michigan hockey. Named after the founding father of the program, Harry W. Lawson, the arena has been home to Bronco hockey since the 1974-75 season. All throughout the 2026-27 season, WMU hockey will be celebrating its five-plus decades at Lawson Arena with special events, promotions and 'Fan Friday' giveaways. Secure your tickets and help us celebrate the Final Season at Lawson Arena by going to wmubroncos.com/tickets.