Air Force hockey senior Chris Hedden was named Atlantic Hockey America’s Defenseman of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday. 

Hedden, who was also named to the all-conference first team, is the fourth Falcon to earn the award, joining Greg Flynn (2008-2009), Tim Kirby (2011-2012) and Adam McKenzie (2012-2013). 

The captain out of Kalamazoo, Mich., finished the season with 24 points on nine goals and 15 assists in conference play. His points and goals are the most among defensemen in the conference. Hedden scored two short-handed goals and was a +7 in the team’s plus-minus category in 26 conference games, which is tied for third-best in the AHA. Hedden was named conference defenseman of the month in November and earned conference defenseman of the week honors five times this season. He was also named the Hockey Commissioners Association’s co-defender of the month for November. 

He led the team in points and goals in overall play with 34 points on 12 goals and 22 assists. His points total ranks second in the nation among defensemen. Hedden also led the Falcons in blocked shots with 63.

Hedden finished his Air Force career with 108 points on 34 goals and 74 assists. He is the first Falcon defenseman to score 100 or more career points since Beau Bilek in 1991-1995.