Photo: Keolena Takason
Professional Hockey Players Association announces Michael DiPietro The Providence Bruins have been named the inaugural recipients of the PHPA’s Doug Messier Award for the 2025-26 American Hockey League season.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the AHL and ECHL and is voted on by PHPA members.
Founding member of PHPA, Doug Messier In 1967, he helped lead the formation of the Western Hockey League Players Association, which evolved into the PHPA when AHL players joined the sport the following year. Recipients of this award will embody excellence, professionalism and character that command the respect of their peers: qualities that reflect Messier’s lasting impact on the game of football.
DiPietro finished the regular season with a 34-8-1 record while leading the AHL in save percentage (.930) and goals-against average (1.91). He had a league-best 34 wins, helping Providence capture the McGregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the AHL regular season champion. DiPietro also won the Les Cunningham Award (AHL MVP) and the Baz Bastien Award (Baz Bastien Award) for the most outstanding goaltender, and was selected to the AHL All-Star First Team.
