Daniel
Hartshorn has been named as the Mayhem Player Of The Year for 2025 after a poll
among his fellow players and team staff.
Dan Hartshorn with the
Mayhem Player of the Year Award
(Photo by Mayhem PIHC)
Hartshorn
heroically took over as the team’s netminder for the 2025 season, despite never
having played in goal before, after regular netminder Darren Pomfret was ruled
out through injury.
Talking
about switching roles he said:
“As a
defender, I was focused on pushing myself physically and doing everything I
could to reduce chances. Moving into goal, I realised very quickly how much of
it is mental. You have to read the game, manage your emotions, pick up on
patterns and player tendencies, it’s constant.”
“ Early
on it felt overwhelming, but now, when I get it right, it almost becomes second
nature. I’ve also been surprised by just how physical the role is, despite all
the padding, some of those hits really hurt!”
Reacting to the Player award, Hartshorn added:
“I’m
incredibly proud, but honestly my first reaction was pure embarrassment and
shock. We were in the changing rooms after training when it was announced, and
I just remember thinking, “There are so many people here who’ve achieved so
much more than me.”
“As it’s sunk in, though, I’ve started to appreciate what it represents. I’ve worked really hard this year, not just on my own game, but trying to support others where I can, and to be nominated and recognised by the team means a lot.”
The full list of Mayhem Players Of The Year since the award was introduced in 2017 is as follows:
- 2017: Anthony Booth
- 2018: Karl Nicholson
- 2019: Darren Pomfret
- 2022: Mark Colquitt
- 2023: Felicity Gregory
- 2024: Felicity Gregory
- 2025: Dan Hartshorn
You can read more about the Manchester Mayhem sledge hockey team on their official website HERE
