Justin Hryckowian Should Win AHL Rookie of the Year

I can't vote for him, but everyone else should.

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Last week, the AHL sent out awards ballots for the 2025 season. We have until next Monday to submit with the caveat that you cannot vote for players or coaches in the city you cover. So, while I can't vote for him, Justin Hryckowian should win the AHL's Rookie of the Year*.

Often, the rookie of the year just goes to the first-year player who has the most points. If we were to just go by that metric and stop the article, then Hryckowian wins. He's currently got 57 points in 63 games. He's even ranked in a tie for 11th in points overall for all skaters. But I'd like to argue that his skillset and overall story earns him the rookie of the year as much as his point total.

We've said it over and over again. In his first games with Texas last year, as the season wound down and he joined on an ATO, Hryckowian was instantly the team's best defensive forward. With various players out for injury or recalled to Dallas, including the ever-reliable Oskar Bäck, Hryckowian drew all the hardest defensive assignments just days after playing his final collegiate game.

Some times players have a pop in the ATO phase and struggle to adjust in their rookie year. For Hryckowian, there has been no such thing. He just potted his 20th goal of the campaign.

As maligned a stat as it is, he's also plus-13** even while drawing those difficult assignments. Hryckowian's next closest competitors for the trophy are Ville Koivunen, who is plus-1 with 55 points, and Bradly Nadeau at an abhorrent minus-17 with 54 points. I truly believe that plus-minus is the tiebreaker here.

Another big plus for Hryckowian in my book is his story. He was an undrafted free agent who cut a path from Quebec to US high school to college and now free agency with Dallas. I wrote about it earlier this year. Sean Goss, who is one of the Stars' media assistants, pulled some remarkable numbers for Hryckowian, leaning heavily on his undrafted status.

• He is the Stars' single-season points leader among undrafted rookies, passing Matt Fraser (55 pts).
• All three Texas rookies to lead the league in rookie points have won the award (McKenzie in 2014, Damiani in 2021, Stankoven in 2024)
• Among undrafted rookies league wide since 2009, Hryckowian ranks 7th in points behind Cory Conacher, Tyler Johnson, Alex Barré-Boulet, Jonathan Marchessault, Austin Czarnik and Tye Kartye.

(Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

Ultimately though, the case is simple. He leads the league in rookie points. His team is near the top of the division. His plus-minus is great. He's been put in tough minutes and succeeded. He's also gotten some NHL games to raise his league-wide profile a bit.

I can't vote for him, because you can't vote for players you cover. But everyone else should, and Hryckowian should make room on his mantel.

* - Hryookie of the Year? I'll see myself out.
** - Hryckowian was plus-16 before last night against Grand Rapids.