KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan hockey team had six players earn College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, which was announced this afternoon.
Samuel Sjolund,
Grant Slukynsky,
Hampton Slukynsky,
Garrett Szydlowski,
Liam Valente and
William Whitelaw made the list for WMU.
Grant Slukynsky and
Hampton Slukynsky advanced to the All-American ballot. To be eligible for CSC Academic All-District recognition, student-athletes must maintain a 3.50+ cumulative GPA and play 90 percent of the team's games.
Sjolund was a Third Team All-NCHC selection this season, leading all blue liners on the team with 29 points on six goals and 23 assists. Along with being an assistant captain, Sjolund secured NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete recognition for the fourth consecutive season.
Grant Slukynsky was also a Third Team All-NCHC honoree after generating a team-leading 40 points on 10 goals and 30 assists. The Warroad, Minn. native was a Hober Baker nominee and a finalist for the NCHC's Sportsmanship Award. Academically, he was a two-time NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.
Hampton Slukynsky secured Second Team All-NCHC honors and won the league's Three Stars Award after earning a program record and NCAA-leading 27 wins. He added a 2.30 goals against average, .915 save percentage and four shutouts. He was an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete both years on campus.
Szydlowski had a strong junior campaign, finishing the season with a career-high 11 points on five goals and six assists. The Brighton, Mich. native earned the team's KOHA Grinder award, and he has been an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete each of his three years in Kalamazoo.
Valente had a breakout senior season, totaling 35 points. He led the NCHC with 10 power-play goals, while pacing the Brown in Gold in total goals with 20. He added 15 assists and was +12 in 39 games. In the classroom, Valente is a two-time NCHC All-Academic selection, including NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete recognition in 2025-26.
Whitelaw had the best season of his career, putting up 34 points on 19 goals and 15 assists in his first year with the Broncos. He paced the team with five game-winning goals and produced a +14 rating in 39 games played. Whitelaw is on track to be named an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete later this summer.
