Since 1989, the John A. Daley Award has been presented annually to the top rookie player in the ECHL.

Last season, South Carolina Stingrays forward Austin Magera earned the distinction by scoring 29 goals and accumulating 45 points over 70 games. Magera’s 74 points ranked him ninth in the league overall.

Although we are still several months away from presenting this year’s trophy, here are 10 first-year players who are making significant contributions in the early stages of the 2024-25 season.

Matthew Sop, F (Iowa Heartlanders)

Sop was one of the top players in the OHL last season. The 21-year-old scored 43 goals, which ranked fifth in the league, and recorded a total of 90 points, placing him eighth overall. He was also named the OHL’s Overage Player of the Year.

The Kitchener, Ontario, native has seamlessly transitioned to the ECHL as Iowa’s top-line center. Sop currently leads all rookie skaters with 12 assists and 19 points, while also ranking second in goals (7).

Added, Sop is on a seven-game point streak during which he has recorded four goals and nine assists.

Riley Hughes, F (Savannah Ghost Pirates)

Hughes began his professional career with the Iowa Heartlanders at the end of last season after graduating from Ohio State. He quickly made an impact there, recording four points in 12 games and has carried over that success into this season.

The 24-year-old leads all ECHL rookies with eight goals in 12 games this year.

Hughes currently boasts the most points (14) and the best plus/minus rating (+8) on Savannah’s roster. He ranks second in points-per-game (1.17) and fifth in shots taken (34).

Connor McMenamin, F (Reading Royals)

McMenamin is one of several standout first-year skaters on the Royals’ roster this season.

After finishing up at the University of Minnesota Duluth, the 25-year-old skated in 10 games with the Royals to close out his 2023-24 campaign.

McMenamin is off to a quick start this season and currently leads the team with six goals and is tied for the most points (13).

He scored in four of his first five games and already has three game-winning goals to his name.

Seth Eisele, G (South Carolina Stingrays)

Eisele’s workload has significantly increased this year after he played in only eight games for the University of Nebraska Omaha during the 2023-24 season.

Matty De St. Phalle, F (Wheeling Nailers)

De St. Phalle is off to an impressive start in his rookie season after spending the previous four years at the University of Wisconsin.