Mavericks defenseman pulls hockey-honors double after repping KC in All-Star Game

It’s been a really good week for the Kansas City Mavericks — defenseman Marcus Crawford, in particular.

The 28-year-old pro hockey player garnered two league-wide awards in the span of two days recently: He was named the ECHL’s Player of the Month for January as well as the ECHL Plus Performer of the Month.

According to the Mavericks, Crawford is the first ECHL defenseman to win Player of the Month honors since Allen’s Les Lancaster in May 2021. He is also, per the Mavs, “the first player to win multiple Plus Performer of the Month awards in the same season since Florida’s Logan Roe in 2019-20.”

Crawford, a Canadian native from Ajax, Ontario, also won the Plus Performer award (more about that, below) for the month of December.

Said Mavericks coach Tad O’Had in a team news release, “Marcus Crawford is having a tremendous year. He has been rock-steady in every aspect for the Mavericks, delivering exactly what this team needs night after night.

“His impact on special teams, both the power play and the penalty kill, has been outstanding, and he continues to log major minutes at 5-on-5 without ever sacrificing consistency or compete level.”

Production from Marcus Crawford, all month long

Crawford generated 21 points in 13 games during the month of January, tallying three goals, 18 assists and a plus-minus rating of +16.

The Mavericks (31-8-1) went 12-1-0 in January and Crawford recorded at least one point in 12 of 13 games. He logged six multi-point nights, including three-assist outings against Fort Wayne (Jan. 2) and at Utah (Jan. 17), as well as a three-point effort (one goal, two assists) against Tahoe (Jan. 23).

“Marcus is the definition of a complete player,” O’Had said. “He’s putting together a true career year, and we couldn’t be prouder of the work he has put in to reach this point. His dedication, professionalism, and desire to elevate his game are evident every time he steps on the ice.”

As for the ECHL’s Plus Performer award, it’s intended to honor both production and consistency. Crawford finished January with a league-best +16, and he was even or better in 12 of 13 games, highlighted by a +4 performance at Utah Jan. 17 and +3 ratings against Tulsa Jan. 10 and Wichita Jan. 31.

Through 41 games this season, Crawford leads ECHL defensemen and ranks second overall in the league with 52 points, including a league-leading 43 assists. His +43 rating leads the ECHL, and his nine goals are tied for second among defensemen, per the Mavericks.

He represented Kansas City at the ECHL All-Star Game this season.

A look at this week’s KC Mavericks schedule

The Mavericks’ 14-game win streak ended last week with a 3-2 road loss to the Iowa Heartlanders.

But KC has a new streak going now thanks to subsequent victories over Wichita (5-3 Saturday, 3-1 Sunday).

The Mavericks were to play the Heartlanders, the team that ended their unbeaten run last week, on home ice Wednesday evening at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence.

The Mavericks were then scheduled to hit the road Thursday for a game against the Tulsa Oilers before returning right back home Friday to play host to Tulsa.

It all adds up to another busy week for a Mavericks squad that remains at the top of the ECHL’s Western Conference standings ... thanks in large part to the play of Crawford and others like him on O’Had’s roster.

This story was originally published February 4, 2026 at 4:55 PM.