Colorado's Jayson Megna Wins 2026 Bruce Boudreau Award

(Credit: Colorado Eagles)

[Ed. Note: Last year, I started an award recognizing outstanding players on AHL contracts. Working with a group of exceptional colleagues across the league, we launched the Bruce Boudreau Award in October and selected its first recipient, Grand Rapids' Dominik Shine. The award is back and on the more normal awards schedule in the spring. You can learn more about the award at BoudreauAward.com.]

Colorado Eagles forward and captain Jayson Megna has been named the 2026 recipient of the Bruce Boudreau Award. The award, selected by a panel of league media, honors the most outstanding American Hockey League player not playing on an NHL contract, recognizing their leadership, consistency, and impact on the league.

“What makes winning AHL teams good is good American League leadership,” said the award’s namesake, AHL Hall of Fame player and coach Bruce Boudreau. “I've found that in every team that I've had.” 

“What an honor,” said Megna of receiving the award. “Incredibly fortunate to get to do what I do for a living, and it's been a long road and with the support of so many people that I don't even have time to thank.”

Undrafted out of the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Roughriders, Megna played one year at University of Nebraska-Omaha before signing a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins after attending their development camp in 2012. He would play a total of 206 NHL games across ten seasons with Pittsburgh, the New York Rangers, Vancouver, Colorado, Anaheim and Boston before being presented with a career fork in the road.

“I had to take a step back and think about my family and what I was missing at home,” said Megna, who has a wife and a five year-old daughter now. “Ultimately, that’s why I decided to sign an American League contract. I had some offers to go on an NHL contract, but we love Colorado so much. 

“It's the greatest place, and we really are proud to live here and play here.”

Megna signed his AHL deal with the Eagles and has served as their captain for the past two seasons, racking up 51 points both seasons and earning an All-Star Game nod this season. Across 14 seasons, he has accumulated 409 regular season points in 618 games and added another 43 points in 66 playoff games.

The Florida-born forward who grew up playing in Chicago is trying to emulate the role models he saw when he entered the league, naming Warren Peters, Trevor Smith and Tom Kostopolous as his mentors when he started. The little things are where he focuses as he attempts to set up his younger teammates for on-ice success by emphasizing the off-ice habits.

“Checking in with guys, making sure they're all set at home. They have all their finances squared away. That makes a big difference and helps them feel more comfortable at the rink when their life's sorted at home.”

Runners-up for this season’s award included Bridgeport Islanders forward Chris Terry, Springfield Thunderbird forward Chris Wagner and Texas Stars forward Curtis McKenzie.

About the Bruce Boudreau Award

The Bruce Boudreau Award was conceived by Stephen Meserve, who has covered the AHL’s Texas Stars since 2009 with 100 Degree Hockey. 

Its namesake, Bruce Boudreau, spent 11 seasons as a player in the AHL, appearing in 695 regular and postseason games, before coaching in the league for nine years. He won the Calder Cup as a player with Adirondack in 1992 and as a coach with Hershey in 2006.

Many talented, hardworking players thrive in the AHL without ever signing an NHL contract. These players are often the backbone of their teams, leaders in the locker room, and consistent contributors on the ice, yet they rarely receive recognition beyond their immediate markets. The award spotlights those who make a lasting impact in the league as true AHL players, upholding the league's competitive spirit and professional standard year after year.

“They teach the young prospects how to be pros,” said Boudreau. “Most of it is from the players and not from the coach. The older, experienced American League player, in the end, is what usually makes winners out of all those young players.”

The award’s inaugural year winner, Grand Rapids’ Dominik Shine, earned a mid-season NHL deal last year and played 18 total games with Detroit this season, scoring three goals. Meanwhile, he also led the Griffins to the AHL’s second-best record as captain.

The 2026 voting panel included Tony Androckitis (AHL), Ben Birnell (Utica), Mark Divver (Providence), Ben Lypka (Abbotsford), Stephen Meserve (Texas) and Elaine Shircliff (Grand Rapids).