2026 Team Awards: Jake Withers earns Most Valuable Player

Jun 2, 2026

HALIFAX, NS (May 28, 2026) – The Halifax Thunderbirds announced today that Jake Withers has been named Most Valuable Player as a part of the 2026 Team Awards.

“I am honoured to be voted team MVP. This award is a testament to the great group of guys that I have the privilege to play with, as well as the hard work and dedication from everyone involved in making us Thunderbirds successful. Go Birds!” 

Withers finished his eighth season with the franchise. In 18 games for the Thunderbirds this season, he had two goals and 15 points, along with 223 loose balls and 14 caused turnovers. 

The Peterborough, Ontario native was also dominant at the face-off stripe, winning 303 draws and winning 71 percent of his opportunities for the year. 

In the playoffs, Withers elevated his play, putting up two goals and seven points in six games, along with 96 loose balls and eight caused turnovers. 

With 117 face-off wins in the postseason, he also passed Jeremy Thompson for first all-time in NLL face-off wins, along with the most draw wins in a single playoffs in league history.