Through press release means, EA Sports has unveiled the rest of the players who made its NHL 26 Team of the Year. As such, we can now share the members of its defensive core, including the defenders and goalies.
Below are the defensive Team of the Year winners for NHL and PWHL respectively:
- Cale Makar, Defender, Colorado Avalanche
- Lane Hutson, Defender, Montreal Canadiens
- Connor Hellebuyck, Goalie, Winnipeg Jets
- Renata Fast, Defender, Toronto Sceptres
- Sophie Jacques, Defender, Vancouver Goldeneyes
- Ann-Renée Desbiens, Goalie, Montreal Victoire
As with the offensive reveal, there’s room for one Honorable Mention to be added. Fans can vote for that player, in game, until the 12th of this month.
The list of candidates includes:
NHL Defense Nominees:
- Quinn Hughes – Minnesota Wild
- Zach Werenski – Columbus Blue Jackets
- Jake Sanderson – Ottawa Senators
- Adam Fox – New York Rangers
PWHL Defense Nominees:
- Claire Thompson – Vancouver Goldeneyes
- Lee Stecklein – Minnesota Frost
- Ella Shelton – Toronto Sceptres
- Megan Keller – Boston Fleet