Summerside Western Capitals captain Simon Mullen has been named the top defenceman in the country for the 2025-26 season. The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced on May 8, 2026, that the 20-year-old from Truro, Nova Scotia, earned the national honour for his performance this year.
Mullen, who leads the Maritime Junior Hockey League team, finished the regular season with 68 points in 52 games. This total tied him for seventh among all league skaters and marked the highest point production among defencemen. His offensive impact was highlighted by a league-leading 28 powerplay assists and 33 total man advantage points. He also maintained a 24-game point streak during the season, the second longest in the league.
This national award recognizes Mullen’s accomplishments as he wraps up his time in Junior A hockey. Before returning to Summerside for his final season, Mullen played for the Moncton Wildcats during their championship run in 2024-25. He is the second player in the history of the Western Capitals to receive this national recognition, following Ed McNeill, who won the award for the 2022-23 season.
Head coach Billy McGuigan noted that Mullen has been a cornerstone for the team throughout the season. The announcement of the award coincides with the Western Capitals hosting the 2026 national championship tournament in Summerside.
