BOISE, Idaho — Longtime Idaho Steelheads captain A.J. White has been named the 2023-24 recipient of the ECHL Sportsmanship Award, the league announced Friday.
After finishing in the top five in voting for the award twice, including second last season, White becomes the second Steelhead in ECHL history to earn the honor. He joins Derek Nesbitt, Idaho's previous recipient in 2006-07.
Coaches, broadcasters, media relations directions and media members from around the league vote annually to select a player who excels in sportsmanship and success on the ice. In his eighth professional season, the Idaho leader is putting together an impressive campaign.
White has scored a career-high 26 goals to go along with 37 assists in 69 games. His 63 points this season are six shy of his all-time best (69), set in 2021-22. The 31-year-old is tied for third in the ECHL with 12 power-play goals and has been assessed just eight penalty minutes.
In the Steelheads ECHL era, White ranks second in team history with 414 games played, 307 points, 195 assists and 112 goals. Last weekend's 112th goal with Idaho put White third all-time including both the ECHL and WCHL era.
The Michigan native has spent six seasons with the Steelies, five as captain. Steelhead legend Cal Ingraham captured the 1997-98 ECHL Sportsmanship Award while playing with the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks.
Jacksonville's Chris Gando finished second behind White for this year's award, followed by Nolan Walker (Kansas City), Zach O'Brien (Newfoundland) and Brandon Hawkins (Toledo).
White owns 132 goals and 235 assists in 523 games with 109 penalty minutes across his eight-year ECHL career. He also has appeared in 22 games in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals and Providence Bruins.
ECHL Sportsmanship Award Winners:
- 2023-24 A.J. White, Idaho Steelheads
- 2022-23 Zach O’Brien, Newfoundland Growlers
- 2021-22 Zach O’Brien, Newfoundland Growlers
- 2020-21 Aaron Luchuk, Orlando Solar Bears
- 2019-20 Spencer Watson, Indy Fuel
- 2018-19 Zach O’Brien, Newfoundland Growlers
- 2017-18 Brodie Dupont, Norfolk Admirals
- 2016-17 Shane Berschbach, Toledo Walleye
- 2015-16 Shane Berschbach, Toledo Walleye
- 2014-15 Chad Costello, Allen Americans
- 2013-14 Peter Sivak, Alaska Aces
- 2012-13 Randy Rowe, Toledo Walleye
- 2011-12 Kevin Ulanski, Colorado Eagles
- 2010-11 Brian Swanson, Alaska Aces
- 2009-10 Barret Ehgoetz, Cincinnati Cyclones
- 2008-09 Travis Morin, South Carolina Stingrays
- 2007-08 Jeff Campbell, Gwinnett Gladiators
- 2006-07 Derek Nesbitt, Idaho Steelheads
- 2005-06 Steve Saviano, Florida Everblades
- 2004-05 Kris Goodjohn, Gwinnett Gladiators
- 2003-04 Mark Pederson, San Diego Gulls
- 2002-03 Rejean Stringer, Columbia Inferno
- 2001-02 Ben Stafford, Trenton Titans
- 2000-01 Jamie Ling, Dayton Bombers
- 1999-00 Jamie Ling, Dayton Bombers
- 1998-99 Jamie Ling, Dayton Bombers
- 1997-98 Cal Ingraham, Tallahassee Tiger Sharks*
- 1996-97 Mike Ross, South Carolina Stingrays
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