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AHL unveils Willie Marshall Award

Published on February 9, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL) News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, MI ... The American Hockey League's Board of Governors has unanimously voted to honor one of the greatest players in American Hockey League history with the creation of the Willie Marshall Award, to be presented annually to the AHL's top goal scorer in the regular season.

The most prolific scorer ever in the AHL, Willie Marshall retired in 1972 as the league's all-time leader in points (1,375), goals (523), assists (852) and games played (1,205). One of only two AHL players ever to skate in 20 seasons, Marshall laced up the skates with the Pittsburgh Hornets, Hershey Bears, Providence Reds, Baltimore Clippers and Rochester Americans, winning three Calder Cup championships (1955, 1958, 1959) and one scoring title – in 1957-58 when he recorded a career-best 104 points.

Marshall played in a total of six Calder Cup Finals, and was named a First Team AHL All-Star twice and a Second Team All-Star once. He also appeared in five consecutive AHL All-Star Games from 1954-59. In addition to his regular season records, Marshall is the AHL's all-time leader in postseason scoring with 119 points in 112 Calder Cup Playoff games.

A native of Kirkland Lake, Ont., Marshall also played 33 contests over parts of four seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The creation of the award and the unveiling of the plaque by American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews took place at today's Hockey Hall of Fame Luncheon, honoring AHL graduates Billy Smith and Grant Fuhr and featuring keynote speaker Scotty Bowman. Marshall, who is attending the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic with his wife Barbara and his son William as special guests of the AHL, will drop the ceremonial first puck prior to tonight's 2004 AHL All-Star Game.

The 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic will take place at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., home of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. The event got underway on Sunday with the 2004 AHL All-Star Skills Competition at 7:00 p.m. (ET) and concludes with the annual All-Star Game at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on Monday, and will be televised live in the United States and Canada.




American Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2004


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