7 CHL Grads Win NHL Awards
The 2011-12 NHL Awards took place Wednesday night in Las Vegas with seven former Canadian Hockey League players winning major awards.
Among the winners was Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche who became the fifth straight CHL graduate to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. Landeskog played two seasons with the Kitchener Rangers including the 2010-11 campaign where he was team captain before being selected second overall by the Avalanche. Rangers’ grad Jeff Skinner won the award last season with the Carolina Hurricanes following CHL grads Tyler Myers in 2010, Steve Mason in 2009, and Patrick Kane in 2008.
CHL grads that won NHL Awards:
Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year):
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche (Kitchener 2009-11)
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike):
Brian Campbell, Florida Panthers (Ottawa 1995-99)
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward):
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins (Acadie-Bathurst 2002-03)
Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year):
Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues (Coached for Kamloops 1984-90)
Bridgestone Messier Leadership Award:
Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes (Kamloops 1992-95)
NHL Foundation Award (Dedication to Community):
Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators (Sudbury 1997-99)
Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy (Top Goal Scorer):
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning (Sarnia 2006-08)