The ECHL on Friday announced that Marcus Crawford of the Kansas City Mavericks has been selected as the Warrior Hockey ECHL Most Valuable Player for 2025-26. Crawford joins Chris Valicevic (1998-99) as the only defensemen to receive the MVP award in the ECHL’s 38-year history.
 
The Warrior Hockey Most Valuable Player award is presented annually to the player selected to be the most valuable to his team as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media members. 
 
Brandon Hawkins of Toledo finished second, followed by Utah’s Danny Dzhaniyev, Brendan Hoffmann of Idaho and Florida’s Cam Johnson. 
 
Named to the All-ECHL First Team and the ECHL Defenseman of the Year, Crawford became the first defenseman in League history to lead the league in scoring with 86 points (14g-72a) in 70 games. Crawford also led the ECHL with 72 assists, 33 power-play assists and 39 power-play points. He was tied for first among blueliners with 14 goals, second with a +49 rating, third with six power-play goals and fourth with 186 shots on goal.
 
Crawford recorded at least one point in 54 of his 70 games this season, including 22 multiple-point games. He was the ECHL Plus Performer of the Month in both December and January, and represented the Mavericks at the 2026 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic in Allen.
 
Warrior Hockey ECHL Most Valuable Player Award Winners
2025-26           Marcus Crawford, Kansas City Mavericks
2024-25           Brandon Hawkins, Toledo Walleye
2023-24           Brandon Hawkins, Toledo Walleye
2022-23           Hank Crone, Allen Americans
2021-22           Will Graber, Fort Wayne Komets
2020-21           Anthony Beauregard, Wichita Thunder
2019-20           Josh Kestner, Toledo Walleye
2018-19           Jesse Schultz, Cincinnati Cyclones
2017-18           Shawn Szydlowski, Fort Wayne Komets
2016-17           Chad Costello, Allen Americans
2015-16           Chad Costello, Allen Americans
2014-15           Jeff Jakaitis, South Carolina Stingrays
2013-14           Mickey Lang, Orlando Solar Bears
2012-13           Ryan Zapolski, South Carolina Stingrays
2011-12           Chad Costello, Colorado Eagles
2010-11           Wes Goldie, Alaska Aces
2009-10           Tyler Donati, Elmira Jackals
2008-09           Kevin Baker, Florida Everblades
2007-08           David Desharnais, Cincinnati Cyclones
2006-07           Brad Schell, Gwinnett Gladiators
2005-06           Jeff Campbell, Gwinnett Gladiators
2004-05           Scott Gomez, Alaska Aces
2003-04           Scott Stirling, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
2002-03           Buddy Smith, Arkansas RiverBlades
2001-02           Frederic Cloutier, Louisiana IceGators
2000-01           Scott King, Charlotte Checkers
1999-00           Andrew Williamson, Toledo Storm
1998-99           Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1997-98           Jamey Hicks, Birmingham Bulls
1996-97           Mike Ross, South Carolina Stingrays
1995-96           Hugo Belanger, Nashville Knights
1994-95           Vadim Slivchenko, Wheeling Thunderbirds
1993-94           Joe Flanagan, Birmingham Bulls
1992-93           Trevor Jobe, Nashville Knights
1991-92           Phil Berger, Greensboro Monarchs
1990-91           Stan Drulia, Knoxville Cherokees
1989-90           Bill McDougall, Erie Panthers
1988-89           Daryl Harpe, Erie Panthers