PROSPECTS: Hagel Named Rockford MVP, Top Rookie; Carlsson Top Defenseman

The Rockford IceHogs announced their end of the year awards on Wednesday with six Blackhawks prospects taking home the seven annual awards, including Brandon Hagels double dip as both the team's MVP and Rookie of the Year.

Check out the full list of award winners:

Most Valuable Player & Rookie of the Year: Brandon Hagel

Hagel earned the team's Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards with 31 points (19G, 12A) in 31 games last year. He finished third in team scoring and tied for 14th among AHL rookies. Hagel earned several callups to the Blackhawks during the 2019-20 campaign, making his NHL debut on March 11 against San Jose. It is the first time in IceHogs history a player received both awards in a single season.

PROSPECTS

**PROSPECTS**: Hagel, Kurashev Among Rockford's Biggest Standouts in 2019-20

**THREE THINGS**: Get to Know Matej Chalupa

**PROSPECTS**: Mitchell 'A Special Player'

Defenseman of the Year: Lucas Carlsson

Carlsson earned Defenseman of the Year honors for the second straight season after leading IceHogs blueliners with 26 points (5G, 21A) in 48 games. The Swede notched a seven-game point streak (1G, 8A) from Feb. 4 to Feb. 18, the second longest Rockford point streak of the season. He made his NHL debut on Feb. 23 in Dallas and in six games with the Blackhawks picked up one assist.

Unsung Hero: Matt Tomkins

Tompkins went 5-7-1 with a 3.12 goals-against average and .896 save percentage in 13 games with the IceHogs in 2019-20 and was Rockford's nominee for the AHL's Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award, awarded to the player that best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Tompkins, originally a 2012 draft pick of Chicago, played three seasons on an AHL contract before signing an NHL deal with the Blackhawks on Jan. 23.

Heavy Hitter Award: Dennis Gilbert

Gilbert split much of the season between the IceHogs and Blackhawks, appearing in 30 games with the AHL club and adding seven points (1G, 6A). In 21 NHL contests, he earned three points (1G, 2A), including his first NHL goal on Dec. 27 against the New York Islanders. At the time of the NHL season pause, Gilbert was tied for ninth on the Blackhawks with 74 hits and averaged 3.52 hits per game, the highest on the team.

Most Improved Player: MacKenzie Entwistle

Entwistle finished his first professional season second among IceHogs rookies and fourth in team scoring with 26 points (11G, 15A) in 56 games. After picking up just one assist in his first five games, Entwistle found his footing at the AHL level and scored four points over his next four games (2G, 2A), including his first professional goal on Oct. 30 against San Antonio.

Man of the Year: Collin Delia

Delia earned his second selection as the team's IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year for his work in the community (also in 2017-18). The 25-year-old helped raise over $3,700 for The Autism Program of Easterseals and the Fatherhood Encouragement Project, while also donating his time and influence to see these community initiatives succeed in their mission. On the ice, Delia led the IceHogs goaltending core with a 16-13-1 record over 32 appearances, posting a 2.66 GAA and .912 SV%.