Palinkas earns Defensive Player of the Year honors one year after former teammate Colin Pierce took home the award for Scranton. The veteran defenseman has helped anchor a Royals unit that allowed just 51 goals in nine conference games — the fewest in the league — and powered the team to a perfect 9-0 Landmark record and the top seed in the postseason. Through 17 games, Palinkas has totaled 34 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers.