CHICAGO, (CO) -- With a couple days without any games, the Chicago Blackhawks held there regular season awards banquett today in Chicago. The event saw some players being rewarded for there play during the season, and the fans also got the chance to meet the players in another enivorment then usuall. The evening started with a speech from general manager Mathias Vaigur where he thanked the fans, and hoped that they would come out in great numbers for the playoffs and support the Hawks.
The first award being handed out was the Bobby Hull Trophy (Most Valuable Player), voted on by the players. And the award was given to Jocelyn Thibault, who where not able to attend the event as the Vancouver Canucks season is not over yet. However, Thibault did send a thank to the fans and his former teammates for the award. Jocelyn Thibault who carried the Hawks for most of the season, until he was traded to Vancouver.
Second award was the Ed Belfour Trophy (Rookie of the year), as voted by the Chicago Media. And the winner was Matt Keith who had 11 points in 27 games for the Hawks. Mike Green who also is a rookie and had 19 points in 46 games, did not play enough games for Chicago to qualify for the award.
After the rookie award. It was time for the most anticipated award of the evening, and easy the most cheered winner of the evening, as Francis Lessard was called up on stage to accept the Al Secord Trophy (Top Enforcer). Lessard also recived the Surprise Player Of The Year Award, voted on by the media. Francis Lessard had a excellent first season as a Blackhawk. Lessard was picked up in a trade with Vancouver before the season had started, and efter being moved from right wing to defense the rugged Lessard had 5 goals and 14 points in 80 games to go with the league high 364 penalty minutes. He also where a +3 player this season with a team high 160 hits.
"I was prepared to play the role as part-time player in Atlanta before the season. Then Vancouver picked me in the waiver draft and then I was traded to Chicago even before I even took of for Vancouver." - Francis Lessard said. "And when I arrived in Chicago, I knew I had come to the right place. The fans love to see a fight or a big hit. The entire orginazation is built around toughness, everyone works hard and nobody take a night off."
Another popular winner where Mark Bell who took home the Steve Larmer Trophy. An award given out to someone who works hard and excell in every aspect of the game. Bell finished first on the team in goals (26), third on the team in points (52), first on the team in powerplay goals (11) and where among the team leaders in plus/minus (+3), game winning goals (5) and hits (157). He also earned 129 penalty minutes. And not to mention, a very important aspect of reciving the Larmer Trophy, Bell also played in all 82 games this season.
"To recive this award, is a great honour. To be mentiond in the same sentence as Steve Larmer, is also a great honour. Now we just have to win the cup too." - Mark Bell said when accepting the award, witch drew a storming applaude from teammates and fans.
The sixth award to be given out was the Doug Wilson Trophy (Top Defender of the year), yet another media voted award. And the winner of the award, where non other then the forever young Chris Chelios. Who also picked up his own award, the Chris Chelios Trophy, given for his leadership on and off the ice. An award who was voted by his teammates. Chris Chelios made a glorius return to the Windy City after years of exile in Detroit. Chelios lead the entire team in defensive scoring with 33 points (2+31). Chelios also showed that his meanstreak is still there with 109 penalty minutes and 155 hits. He where also suspended twice this season, witch along with injuries, held him to only 71 games.
After Chris Chelios another defender took the stage, as Steve McCarthy took home the Breakout Player of the Year prize. McCarthy who up until this season, never had reaced double digits in points scored 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points this season. He where also the team leader in plus minus with a +10 rating. And Brian Sutter also got the 24 year Trail native, to play physical, as he had 107 penalty minutes and 90 hits in 74 played games.
"It has been a great season for me. I have been more confident then ever before, and I have also feelt the confidence from the coaching staff. I have played in all types of situations, and my game has really improved." - Steve McCarthy said.
The last award of the evening to be handed out, was the Fans Player Of The Year award. The prize was presented by a couple of fans, and it was given to Tuomo Ruutu. Who lead the team in scoring for most of the season, but some late season injuries held him to second place with 55 points in 74 games. Just 2 points behind Kyle Calder who had an awsome end to the regular season with 10 points in 5 games. He also finished second in the plus minues race with a +8 rating. But Ruutu had the most game winners on the team with 7.
The Hawks will now continue to play the waiting game as the season plays out its last couple of days, before they know who they will play in the first round of the playoffs. Right now it looks like the all-star studied Phoenix Coyotes will be Chicago's first round opponents.
AWARDS RE-CAP:
BOBBY HULL TROPHY (M.V.P)
Jocelyn Thibault (G)
ED BELFOUR TROPHY (Rookie)
Matt Keith (RW)
AL SECORD TROPHY (Top Enforcer)
Francis Lessard (RW/D)
SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Francis Lessard (RW/D)
STEVE LARMER TROPHY (All around)
Mark Bell (C)
DOUG WILSON TROPHY (Top defender)
Chris Chelios (D)
CHRIS CHELIOS TROPHY (Top leader)
Chris Chelios (D)
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steve McCarthy (D)
FANS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tuomo Ruutu (C/LW)