OTHL -- The New Jersey Devils won the cup and today the took home some more silverware. Martin Brodeur who was given the Conn Smythe Trophy yesterday after the finals as the most valuabled player in the playoffs, recived a couple other high priced awards today at the OTHL's first Award Banquette. Brodeur was given the Hart Memorial Trophy as the regular season's most valuabled played. He also added the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender this past season. Brodeur took the Vezina by a landsline in the voting among the league's general managers.
"There is no doubt about it he is the best goalie in the league. He is a guy that will get you the chance to win every night. He has also the cups to show that he has what it takes to win in the playoff's too. You can ask 29 gm's in this league and everyone would say that they would love to have him on there team. The 30th guy already has him on his team..." - A OTHL GM comments on Brodeur.
Before the evening was over, Brodeur had also recived the Lester B. Pearson award given to him by his peers in the OTHLPA. Other trohies the Devils recived was the Jack Adams Award, witch was given to Pat Burns. Burns took the award just 1 vote ahead of Boston Bruins Dave King. And Scott Niedermayer claimed the James Norris Trophy as the most valuabled defender during the regular season.
There where also some none-Devils winners as Boston Bruins center Michal Handzus recived the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward during the regular season. Handzus who started the season slow with the Flyers came to life after his trade to Boston and ended the season with 74 points and a +31 rating. The Unsung Hero Award was given to Atlanta Thrasher's winger Nils Ekman. Ekman had a excellent season for the Thrashers with 68 points witch was good enough for second place on the team. Another new award was the Larry Robinson Trophy given to the best defensive defender in the league. Minnesota Wild's Derian Hatcher took home that award. Hatcher also took home the Scott Stevens Trophy as the league's top hitter. An award he recived before the playoff's started.
The OTHL's top rookie was also awarded tonight. Jared Aulin from Edmonton Oilers recived the Calder Trophy. Aulin won the award 8 votes ahead of St Louis Blues Rickard Wallin with Josef Balej from Carolina as the second runner up.
The last award to be handed out tonight, was the GM OF THE YEAR. And it was given to Toronto Maple Leaf's general manager Brian Blake. Who recived a warm round of applaudes by his peers. Blake who decided to step down from his GM duties after the season was over, will be missed by everyone involved in the OTHL.