Toronto's Mikyla Grant-Mentis named MVP at 2021 NWHL Awards

Sportsnet Staff
(Courtesy Dean Tait / Hockey Shots via NWHL)
(Courtesy Dean Tait / Hockey Shots via NWHL)

After a dominant rookie campaign that saw her tally five goals and nine points in just six games, Toronto Six forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis has been named National Women’s Hockey League’s 2021 MVP.

Her victory was announced Wednesday night as the NWHL presented its 2021 awards, as determined by the media selection committee, via Twitch.

Grant-Mentis, 22, also earned the Newcomer of the Year Award, her 2021 success coming in the first full NWHL campaign of her career — and in her franchise’s inaugural season in the league.

With the awards haul in tow, Grant-Mentis becomes the first Black player in the NWHL’s history to be named MVP.

Boston Pride rearguard Kaleigh Fratkin took home Defender of the Year honours, the veteran having posted nine points through six appearances on Boston’s blue line, while Amanda Leveille was named Goaltender of the Year for her sterling performance in the Minnesota Whitecaps cage.

Metropolitan Riveters defender Saroya Tinker, who’s been among the sport’s most outspoken leaders on anti-racism efforts over the past year, was honoured with the NWHL’s Denna Laing Award, given to the player “who most exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to her sport.”

Over the course of her rookie campaign in the league, Tinker raised more than $30,000 in support of Black Girl Hockey Club, and launched the Saroya Tinker Mentorship program.

Tinker, Grant-Mentis, and Leveille were also among the NWHL’s 2021 Foundation Award winners, along with Grace Klienbach, Carly Jackson and Mallory Souliotis.

Jackson, Grant-Mentis and Soulioutis rounded out the 2021 award winners, being named the three stars as voted by the fans:

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