The North American Hockey League announced its annual awards during a live-stream event hosted on NATV (www.nahltv.com) on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. The Windigo featured prominently in the awards for the 2023-24 season. The selections were based on performance during the 2023-24 regular season. Voting was conducted by the league’s 32 head coaches, the NAHL Board of Governors, and the NAHL front office. Highlighting the list is Windigo co-captain Max Martin. Martin was named Most Valuable Player by the league. He also earned Forward of the Year, All-NAHL First Team and NAHL All-Midwest Division accolades. Joining Martin in the award parade were teammates Erick Comstock, Jacob Jastrzebski and Max Beckford. Comstock was named to the All-NAHL Rookie First Team and All-NAHL Second Team as a defenseman. Jastrzebski was recognized as the NAHL All-Division Rookie of the Year for the Midwest Division. Beckford was named NAHL All-Midwest Division goaltender.
Martin led the league in scoring with 44 goals and 53 assists. His 97 points was 14 more than the next closest competitor in the regular season. He registered a league high 12 game winning goals. His 17 power play goals were second only to teammate Will Schumacher. Martin finished the regular season with a +26 +/- rating. He added 1 goal and 4 assists during 6 playoff games. His play during the past 2 seasons as a Windigo earned him a commitment to play NCAA Division-1 hockey at Bowling Green State University next year. Martin had the following to say upon learning he was named MVP and Forward of the Year, “To be named MVP and Forward of the Year is a distinct honor for me and my team. This wouldn’t be possible without my teammates, and I can’t give enough thanks and appreciation to them. This season was bittersweet for me and the rest of the guys. From all the highs and lows, I couldn’t have done it with a better group of guys. I’d like to thank the coaches, my brothers in the locker room, everyone in the Windigo organization, and most importantly, the best fans in junior hockey. The Dome will always be home to me. I will miss those Friday and Saturday nights at the Dome. As I advance in my hockey journey, I will never forget my two years in Eagle River. Thank you, Wisconsin.”
Erick Comstock paced all Windigo defensemen with 9 goals and 35 assists in 59 regular season games. His 44 regular season points ranked third overall for defensemen in the league. He finished the season with a +19 +/- rating and added 2 assists in 6 playoff games. For his performance, Comstock earned a commitment to play hockey at NCAA Division-1 Augustana University.
Rookie sensation forward Jacob Jastrzebski led all rookies in scoring with 17 goals and 39 assists. His 56 points were good for 22nd overall in the league. He finished the season with a +23 +/- rating. Like teammate Erick Comstock, Jacob also earned a commitment to play college hockey at NCAA Division-1 Augustana University.
Max Beckford had another standout season in the net for the Windigo. His 1.83 GAA was second in the league, as was his 0.9397 saves percentage. He posted a record 18 wins, 4 losses and 2 shootout losses in 24 regular season games played. Beckford earned a commitment to play hockey at NCAA Division-1 Bentley University next season.
