Defenseman of The Year Print YEAR NAME TEAM 2024-25 Luke Osburn Youngstown Phantoms 2023-24 Leo Gruba Fargo Force 2022-23 Eric Pohlkamp Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 2021-22 Mitchell Miller Tri-City Storm 2020-21 Mason Lohrei Green Bay Gamblers 2019-20 Owen Power Chicago Steel 2018-19 Ronnie Attard Tri-City Storm 2017-18 Ben Finkelstein Waterloo Black Hawks 2016-17 Connor Mackey Green Bay Gamblers 2015-16 Jack Ahcan Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 2014-15 Neal Pionk Sioux City Musketeers 2013-14 Brandon Montour Waterloo Black Hawks 2012-13 Paul LaDue Lincoln Stars 2011-12 Andy Welinski Green Bay Gamblers 2010-11 Nick Mattson Indiana Ice 2009-10 David Makowski Green Bay Gamblers 2008-09 John Moore Chicago Steel 2007-08 Blake Kessel Waterloo Black Hawks 2006-07 Jeff Petry Des Moines Buccaneers 2005-06 Nick Schaus Omaha Lancers 2004-05 Brett Motherwell Omaha Lancers 2003-04 Mike Hodgson Sioux City Musketeers 2002-03 Matt Carle River City Lancers 2001-02 Brett Skinner Des Moines Buccaneers 2000-01 Jamie Mattie Sioux Falls Stampede 1999-00 Jeff Finger Green Bay Gamblers 1998-99 Tom Preissing Green Bay Gamblers 1997-98 Jason Basile Des Moines Buccaneers 1996-97 Doug Schmidt Waterloo Black Hawks 1995-96 Josh DeWolf St. Paul Vulcans Dan Peters Omaha Lancers 1994-95 Scott Swanson Omaha Lancers 1993-94 Dave Dupont Des Moines Buccaneers 1992-93 Eric Rud Des Moines Buccaneers 1991-92 Andrew Backen Thunder Bay Flyers 1990-91 Paul Koch Omaha Lancers 1989-90 John Gruden Waterloo Black Hawks 1988-89 Mark Peterson St. Paul Vulcans 1987-88 Chris Nelson Rochester Mustangs 1986-87 Darren Sheehan Thunder Bay Flyers 1985-86 Kord Cernick Dubuque Fighting Saints 1984-85 Mike Castellano Austin Mavericks 1983-84 Doug Claggett Dubuque Fighting Saints