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WPHL honors its best

by WPHL Press Release
March 19, 2001 - Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL)


Best of the Best IV Results Announced

WPHL Press Release

Annual Poll Lists Top Players & Organizations

The results of the Western Professional Hockey League's 4th Annual "Best of the Best" poll are in, highlighting the top players and organizations within the WPHL.

Each of the WPHL's 13 member teams completed a 38-category questionnaire that required them to list their three top choices in each area. Each team's public relations staff, in conjunction with their head coach and an assortment of players, completed the poll.

The results were compiled by the WPHL with assistance from Austin American-Statesman beat writer, In the Crease contributor and Zamboni Rodeo author Jason Cohen. Cohen's "Best of the Best" article will be emailed separately, along with the top three vote getters in each category, which includes everything from Best Overall Player and Most Underrated Player to Best Mascot and Best Team Logo.

Also this week, the Western Professional Hockey League will announce the recipients of seven annual awards. Today, the WPHL will announce the recipients of both the WPHL Man of the Year (Presented annually to the WPHL player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community) and the inaugural Rick Kozuback award, which is "Presented annually to the WPHL owner, front office staff member, coach or player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and commitment to the game, sport and business of hockey."

Award                        Announcement Date
WPHL Man of the Year         Monday, March 19th
Rick Kozuback Award          Monday, March 19th
Coach of the Year            Tuesday, March 20th
Most Outstanding Defenseman  Wednesday, March 21st
Most Outstanding Goaltender  Thursday, March 22nd
Rookie of the Year           Thursday, March 22nd
Most Valuable Player         Friday, March 23rd

QUOTABLES

  • "I thought the work ethic was where it needed to be, but I thought we played very sloppy." (MAR.18)
    -El Paso Coach Trent Eigner, after a 5-4 loss to Amarillo in a crucial contest to determine playoff position.

  • "This was huge. It was great to come back home and play the way we did. The fans were great tonight." (MAR.17)
    -San Angelo sniper Jean Blouin, who scored both goals in the Outlaws' gritty 2-1 win over visiting New Mexico.

  • "When we play within a system and stick with the game plan, we're hard to beat" (MAR.18)
    -Fort Worth Coach Todd Lalonde, after his Brahmas recorded a 4-1 home win vs the Western Division leading Odessa Jackalopes.

  • "Without help this obviously wouldn't have happened. I credit the people

    around me for helping me get my chances." (MAR.17)
    -Lake Charles forward John Hanson, who scored his 45th goal of the year

    and set a new team record for goals in a season during a 3-2 win over Monroe.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Van Burgess, El Paso Buzzards
#: 29
HT: 5'11
WT: 190
DOB: 07-05-73

Burgess enjoyed a seven point week in which he scored four goals and added three assists, leading the Buzzards to three straight wins in which he scored multiple points. The Buzzards' Captain now leads the team in points with 52.

GP: 3
G: 4
A: 3
PTS: 7

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Mike Gorman, Lake Charles Ice Pirates
#: 35
HT: 5'10
WT: 190
DOB: 12-29-79

Gorman's strong play propelled the Ice Pirates to wins in two of three contests this week, including wins over both Monroe and Austin. He made 39 shots in a 3-2 win over Monroe, then 49 in a 3-2 shootout win over the Ice Bats.

GP: 2 MIN: 158.44
GA: 9 SAVE%: .921
Wins: 2 Losses: 1
SOL: 0 Shut-Outs: 0

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Western Professional Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2001


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