Hamilton Bulldogs’ Press Release
April 16th, 2011
HAMILTON, ON – The Hamilton Bulldogs announced today the winners of the hockey club’s 2010-2011 individual player awards. The following is a list of the worthy recipients:
The Hamilton Spectator Most Valuable Player Award:
*As voted by the Hamilton Bulldogs players
Winner: #1 Curtis Sanford
Previous Winners: Steve Passmore (1998-99), Daniel Cleary (1999-00), Paul Healey & Brian Swanson (2000-01), Brian Swanson (2001-02), Jason Ward (2002-03), Benoit Gratton (2003-04), Chris Higgins (2004-05), Marc-Antoine Pouliot (2005-06), Jaroslav Halak (2006-07), Jaroslav Halak (2007-08), Marc Denis (2008-09), David Desharnais (2009-10)
The Hamilton Bulldogs Leading Scorer Award:
*Awarded to the Bulldogs Leading Scorer during the regular season
Winner: #19 Nigel Dawes
Previous Winners: Tomas Plekanec (2004-05), Corey Locke (2005-06), Duncan Milroy (2006-07), Corey Locke (2007-08), Yanick Lehoux (2008-09), David Desharnais (2009-10)
The Tim Hortons Top Defenceman Award:
*As voted on by the local media
Winner: #32 Frédéric St. Denis
Previous Winners: Todd Reirden (1998-99), Alex Zhurik (1999-00), Rory Fitzpatrick (2001-02), Sven Butenschon (2001-02), Marc-Andre Bergeron (2002-03), Francois Beauchemin & Patrick Traverse (2003-04), Dan Jancevski (2004-05), Dan Smith (2005-06), Dan Jancevski (2006-07), Jean-Philippe Cote (2007-08), Dan Jancevski (2008-09), P.K. Subban (2009-10)
The Swiss Chalet Top Rookie Award:
*As voted on by the Hamilton Bulldogs Radio Broadcast Team
Winner: #4 Brendon Nash
Previous Winners: Yann Danis (2004-05), Marc-Antoine Pouliot (2005-06), Jaroslav Halak (2006-07), Pavel Valentenko (2007-08), David Desharnais, Ben Maxwell & Yannick Weber (2008-09), P.K. Subban (2009-10)
The Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. (H.E.C.F.I.) Community Leadership Award:
*As voted on by the staff of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club
Winner: #5 Alex Henry
Previous Winners: Jeff Daw (1998-99), Mike Minard (1999-00), Ryan Risidore (2000-01), Alain Nasreddine (2001-02), Jason Ward (2003-03), Duncan Milroy (2003-04), Duncan Milroy (2004-05), Corey Locke (2005-06), Corey Locke (2006-07), Ajay Baines (2007-08), Ben Maxwell (2008-09), Eric Neilson (2009-10)
The Bill Sturrup Trophy Presented by the Growl (Formerly the Hamilton Bulldogs Fans’ Choice Award):
*As voted on by The Growl – the Hamilton Bulldogs’ Booster Club
Winner: #1 Curtis Sanford
Previous Winners: Chris Ferraro (1998-99), Mike Minard (1999-00), Jason Chimera (2000-01), Brian Swanson (2001-02), Marc-Andre Bergeron (2002-03), Duncan Milroy (2003-04), Corey Locke (2004-05), J.J. Hunter, Jean-Francois Jacques (2005-06), Duncan Milroy (2006-07), Ajay Baines (2007-08), Kyle Chipchura (2008-09), P.K. Subban (2009-10)
The Molson Cup:
*As voted on by the media at each game throughout the season (Three Stars of the Game)
Winner: #28 Aaron Palushaj
Previous Winners: Steve Passmore (1998-99), Daniel Cleary (1999-00), Paul Healey (2000-01), Brian Swanson (2001-02), Jason Ward (2002-03), Jozef Balej (2003-04), Yann Danis (2004-05), Jean-Francois Jacques (2005-06), Duncan Milroy (2006-07), Corey Locke (2007-08), Marc Denis (2008-09), Brock Trotter (2010-11)
The Flamboro Downs Workhorse of the Year: (Hardest Working Bulldogs Player)
*As voted on by the local media at each home game and by the Hamilton Bulldogs Radio Broadcast Team after each road game throughout the season.
Winner: #28 Aaron Palushaj
Previous Winners: Steve Potvin (1998-99), Brian Swanson (1999-00), Chad Hinz (2000-01), Jason Chimera (2001-02), Tony Salmelainen & Jarret Stoll (2002-03), Jozef Balej (2003-04), Steve Ott (2004-05), Maxim Lapierre (2005-06), Kyle Chipchura (2006-07), Jonathan Ferland (2007-08), David Desharnais (2008-09), David Desharnais (2009-10)
Goaltender Curtis Sanford earned two awards, winning ‘The Hamilton Spectator Most Valuable Player Award’ as voted by his teammates and ‘The Bull Sturrup Trophy’ which is voted on by The Growl – the Hamilton Bulldogs’ Booster Club. In 40 games with the ‘Dogs this season, the native of Owen Sound, Ontario amassed a record of 22-13-2 while ranking first in the AHL in goals-against-average with a 1.93 GAA and second in save percentage with a .930 SV% and recording five shutouts. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound goaltender was a member of the Western Conference team at the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic and was named an AHL Second-Team All-Star but had his season cut short when he underwent successful shoulder surgery on March 16th.
Nigel Dawes was the recipient of ‘The Hamilton Bulldogs Leading Scorer Award’ which is given to the Bulldog who leads the team in scoring at the end of the regular season. Dawes spent the first half of the season with the Chicago Wolves before joining the ‘Dogs following a trade from the Atlanta Thrashers organization to the Montreal Canadiens. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound left wing finished the season leading the Bulldogs in points with 72 (41 goals, 31 assists) after joining Hamilton on February 24th. The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba was named an AHL Second-Team All-Star as his 41 goals were the most ever recorded by a Bulldogs player and ranked second in the AHL.
Frédéric St. Denis was the winner of the ‘The Tim Hortons Top Defenceman Award’ as voted by local media. The 25-year-old native of Greenfield Park, Quebec reached career-highs in goals with five, assists with 18 and points with 23. The 5-foot-11, 193-pound defenceman also played in a career-high 76 games while being a +16 and recording 108 shots on net.
Defenceman Brendon Nash was given ‘The Swiss Chalet Top Rookie Award’ as selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs Broadcast Team. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound defender ranked second among ‘Dogs defencemen in scoring this season with 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in 75 games. The native of Kamloops, British Columbia led all AHL rookie defencemen and tied for the Hamilton team-lead in +/- with a +22 rating.
Aaron Palushaj was the winner of ‘The Flamboro Downs Workhorse of the Year Award’ as voted by the local media at each home game and the Hamilton Bulldogs Radio Broadcast Team after each road game throughout the season for the hardest working Bulldogs player. Palushaj also earned ‘The Molson Cup Award’ which is given to the three stars leader as voted by the attending media at each game throughout the season. The native of Northville, Michigan ranked second on the Bulldogs in points with 57 (22 goals, 35 assists). The 5-foot-11, 177-pound right winger had career-highs in goals, assists and points and also played in his first three NHL games with Montreal this season.
Alex Henry was the recipient of ‘The H.E.C.F.I. Community Leadership Award’ for his work within the Hamilton Community as voted by the Hamilton Bulldogs front office staff. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound defenceman donated his time this year to help and support a number of events including the Hamilton Bulldogs Summer Hockey Camp, the Dawgs Breakfast Program, the Bulldogs Foundation “My Favourite Things” charity auction and led his teammates through a number of team community events such as fan skates, autograph sessions and visits with local minor hockey teams. The native of Elliot Lake, Ontario also took charge of ‘Movember’ which encouraged Bulldogs players to grow moustaches for the month of November to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. Henry was voted as having the best moustache and raised the most money as he contributed $1,235 to the team total of $6,214.
Fans can tune in to all ‘Dogs playoff games on the flagship station of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network, 820 CHAM, and online on www.hamiltonbulldogs.com and www.ahllive.com. All playoff Hamilton Bulldogs broadcasts on AM 820 CHAM will begin with a pre-game show 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
Tickets for Hamilton’s first round series in the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs are on sale now. All tickets are $19.50 and fans interested in purchasing group tickets can do so by calling 905-777-2372. Tickets will be available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.com or through charge-by-phone at 1-855-872-5000.