HUBERDEAU HEADLINES TEAM AWARD WINNERS

Tuesday, June 21, 2010

SAINT JOHN, NB – The Saint John Sea Dogs have announced the complete list of team award winners for the 2010-11 MasterCard Memorial Cup championship team.

These annual awards have been handed out since the inaugural 2005-06 season, honouring the accomplishments of outstanding individuals to the team’s success. Sophomore forward Jonathan Huberdeau leads this year’s list with four team awards.

Huberdeau earned the Bell Aliant Most Valuable Player Award, the Alpine Three Stars Award, the Children’s Wish Foundation Fan Choice Award, and the Pepsi Top Scorer Award. Huberdeau enjoyed an outstanding 17-year-old season, pacing the Sea Dogs with a team-record 105 points, including 43 goals. He also led the team with 16 goals and 30 points in the playoffs, and added six more points at the Memorial Cup. Trophies are nothing new for Huberdeau, who was named MVP of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs and of the Memorial Cup.

The other team award winners are:

INVESTORS GROUP TOP DEFENSEMAN – Simon Despres

In 2010-11, the fourth-year Sea Dog registered a career best with 13 goals to go with 41 points despite playing in just 47 games. Despres, 19, became the second Sea Dog to ever play for Team Canada when he represented his country at the 2011 World Junior Championship in Buffalo. The first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins brought home a silver medal.

GRANT THORNTON ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Ryan Tesink

Tesink made an impact immediately with the Sea Dogs, scoring twice and adding an assist in this year’s season opener at Harbour Station – his first game in the QMJHL. The 17-year-old local product finished with eight goals and 35 points, and added three more in the playoffs, including the double-overtime winner in the longest game in the history of the President’s Cup finals.

SCOTIABANK COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – Mike Thomas

Thomas wrapped up his fifth season with the Sea Dogs, and second as captain, with career bests on the ice. He had 14 goals and 24 points for his best ever offensive output. A hard worker on the ice, Thomas has also logged countless hours in the community throughout his career. Whether it’s spending time with sick and underprivileged children, visiting local schools for the Get FANatical About Math program, or simply taking a few minutes to sign autographs and speak with fans, Thomas has been an outstanding representative of the Sea Dogs organization. The veteran recently signed an American Hockey League contract with the Springfield Falcons as he looks to pursue his hockey dreams.

IRVING OIL TEAM PLAYER AWARD – Stephen MacAulay

MacAulay set career highs with 15 goals and 31 points, proving the St. Louis Blues were smart to select him in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. While his offensive numbers were solid, MacAulay’s play is about more than offensive totals. The 18-year-old forward was a key penalty killer that the coaching staff trusted in all situations, and he even answered the call to play defense when asked. He also showed in the playoffs a special knack for scoring important goals, with three key game-winners.

TIM HORTONS MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – Zack Phillips

After a solid rookie season, Phillips emerged as an elite scoring threat in the QMJHL, more than doubling his goal, assist and point totals to finish second on the team with a 38-57-95 scoring line. Playing alongside Huberdeau for most of the season, Phillips tied for sixth in league scoring, and also recorded the first four-goal game in Sea Dogs history.

SAINT JOHN AIRPORT ACADEMIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Steven Anthony

An NHL-drafted forward with a bright hockey future ahead of him, Anthony also makes academics a priority. The 19-year-old Vancouver Canucks prospect is a dedicated, conscientious student and is diligent in balancing the demands of hockey with the demands of his studies in business administration at the University of New Brunswick Saint John. Reports from his instructors indicate a pleasant and interested student who is driven and determined. This award recognizes his hard work and focus on educational pursuits, which he says are just important to him as his hard work on the ice.