COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following strong showings at holiday tournaments, Western Michigan and Miami are home to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Players of the Week presented by KJ Branding for games between Dec. 19-29, 2025. Garnering KJ Branding NCHC honors for Week 12 are:

• Forward – William Whitelaw, Western Michigan, Jr.
• Defenseman – Ryder Thompson, Miami, Fr.
• Goaltender – Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, So.
• Rookie – David Deputy, Miami, F

Whitelaw landed his second Forward of the Week honor in three weeks, while Deputy also picked up his second Rookie of the Week nod this season. Slukynsky gloved his third Goaltender of the Week award this year and sixth career NCHC weekly honor (three-time Rookie of the Week). This is Thompson’s first career NCHC accolade.

FORWARD OF THE WEEK
William Whitelaw, Western Michigan
Junior Forward
Rosemount, Minn.
 
Whitelaw powered No. 7 Western Michigan to the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off title with a three-goal weekend in Milwaukee. The Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick was named Most Outstanding Forward at the Holiday Face-Off after tallying both nights. In Sunday’s semifinal, Whitelaw scored twice, potting WMU’s first and third goals in a 5-3 victory over No. 12 Boston College. The next night, the Michigan transfer sealed the championship with an empty-netter to cap a 4-1 win over No. 2 Wisconsin.
 
Whitelaw led the NCHC with three goals over the holiday break, while firing seven shots on goal at the tournament and posting a +2 plus/minus. On the season, he leads the Broncos with 12 goals, including five in his last three games, while his 18 points are second on the team. Whitelaw’s 12 goals also tie for second in the NCHC.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Ryder Thompson, Miami
Freshman Defenseman
Russell, Manitoba
 
Thompson had a breakout weekend at the Great Lakes Invitational, helping Miami to a third-place finish. He recorded points both nights in Grand Rapids, Michigan, including his first career goal and multi-point game. In Monday’s consolation game, the freshman scored the game-winning goal in a 4-2 victory over Ferris State, his first goal as a RedHawk, after dishing out the primary assist on the go-ahead goal to make it 2-1 Miami. Thompson was named First Star of the Game against FSU. A day earlier, he handed out another assist in a semifinal loss to Michigan Tech.
 
Thompson led all NCHC blueliners with three points over the holidays on a goal and two assists. He also blocked four shots at the Great Lakes Invitational with two each night, while firing three shots on goal and posting an even plus/minus. Thompson helped the MU penalty kill finish a perfect 5-for-5 at the GLI, as well. On the season, the former Portland Winterhawk now has eight points (1g/7a) in 18 games for Miami.

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan
Sophomore Goaltender
Warroad, Minn.

Slukynsky backstopped the Broncos to the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off title, earning a pair of wins over top-15 teams. In Sunday’s semifinal, the Los Angeles Kings draft pick totaled 22 saves in a 5-3 victory over No. 12 Boston College, including 10 saves in the final frame. The next night in the championship game, Slukynsky turned aside 22 more shots in a 4-1 victory over No. 2 Wisconsin, making nine saves in the final 20 minutes to secure the trophy.
 
Slukynsky was selected Most Outstanding Goaltender at the Holiday Face-Off, going 2-0-0 with a .917 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average in Milwaukee. His 2.00 GAA tied for first in the NCHC among the four teams that played over the holidays, while his save percentage was tops among NCHC goalies with two games played. The NCHC Preseason All-Conference selection totaled 44 saves on 48 shots faced in the tournament. Slukynsky improved to 12-6-0 on the season with a 2.73 GAA and an .890 save percentage.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
David Deputy, Miami
Freshman Forward
Gurnee, Ill.
 
Deputy stayed hot of late, helping Miami to a third-place finish in its first-ever appearance at the Great Lakes Invitational. He scored two goals on Monday to power the RedHawks to a 4-2 win over Ferris State in the consolation game, book-ending the scoring with Miami’s first and last goals. It was his second multi-goal game in his last four outings. Deputy was tabbed Second Star of the Game on Monday at the GLI.
 
Deputy finished the tournament with two goals to tie for the NCHC rookie lead on the week. He fired four shots on goal in Grand Rapids, with three in Monday’s win and one in Sunday’s semifinal loss to Michigan Tech. Deputy now has six goals and five assists for 11 points in 15 games this season.
 
OTHER NOMINEES:
 
Forward of the Week
David Deputy, Miami
Cullen Potter, Arizona State

Defenseman of the Week
Justin Kipkie, Arizona State
Theo Wallberg, Western Michigan

Goaltender of the Week
Connor Hasley, Arizona State
Mathis Langevin, Miami
 
Rookie of the Week
Bobby Cowan, Western Michigan, F
Marcus Nguyen, Omaha, F