KALAMAZOO, Mich. - #5/5 Western Michigan hockey landed two of the NCHC's four October monthly awards, the league announced Wednesday. Senior forward William Whitelaw was named the NCHC Forward of the Month, and freshman forward Adam Benák was named the NCHC Rookie of the Month.
Whitelaw skated in seven games in October and put together a monster month, tallying 14 points (7G-7A). The Rosemount, Minn., native was tied for third in the nation last month in points (14), tied for fifth in goals (7) and tied for fourth in plus/minus (plus-11). The forward netted his first career hat trick and tied an NCHC single-game record with four goals in the Broncos' 10-2 victory over LIU on Thursday, Oct. 29, which was also the most goals in a game since Ethen Frank accomplished the four-goal feat on Nov. 19, 2021, against St. Cloud State.
Also in October, Whitelaw registered a power play goal, a game-winner and scored WMU's first shorthanded goal of the season at then-#1/1 Michigan on Oct. 23. Overall, in the 2026-27 campaign, the senior has recorded four multi-point games, tied for the second-most in Division I and posted 2.00 points per game, tied for the seventh-highest average. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound skater has also recorded a point in all seven regular season contests, the longest active point streak in the NCHC this season. Whitelaw earned his first monthly honor after being named NCHC Forward of the Week on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and is the first Bronco to earn the conference's Forward of the Month honor.
Benák played in seven games last month, totaling 13 points (3G-10A). The Plzen, Czechia native paced all freshmen nationally in points (13) and assists (10), which also rank fifth and third in Division I, respectively. In October, on the national leaderboard among freshmen, Benák averaged 1.86 points per game, the fourth-highest average, alongside a freshmen-leading plus-10. No freshman skater has recorded more than Benák's four multi-point efforts this season. Ryan McAllister was the last Bronco freshman to hit 13 points (5G-8A) in October 2022. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound forward has been named the NCHC Rookie of the Week twice this season and is the first from WMU to earn the monthly honor since Hampton Slukynsky did in March/April 2025.
October 2026 marks the third time since the NCHC began play in 2013-14 that a pair of Broncos have earned monthly honors in the same month (March/April 2025 and November 2022).
#5/5 Western Michigan hockey opens NCHC play at #10/10 North Dakota on Friday (8:07 p.m. ET) and Saturday (7:07 p.m. ET) at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Midco Sports and the Bronco Radio Network (WKZO 106.9 FM / 102.7 FM / 590 AM / 930 AM); stream on NCHC.tv.
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. 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 at wmubroncos.com/tickets.
