AHL Rochester Americans

Amerks announce 2004-05 award winners

April 17, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans announced the club's 2004-05 award winners during a pregame ceremony before the Amerks-Syracuse Crunch regular season home finale at The Blue Cross Arena. Team captain Chris Taylor was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award and the Fairand/O'Neil Sportsmanship Award. Taylor was honored with his third scoring title, also capturing the honor in 2001-02 and 2002-03. He leads the team with 76 points (21+55) in 78 games.

Thomas Vanek was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He is the first Rochester rookie to reach 30 goals since Scott Thomas in 1992-93. He is currently second in the AHL in rookie scoring with 65 points (39+26) in 73 games. He is one goal shy of becoming the first Amerk rookie since Donald Audette to hit 40 in a season (1989-90).

Nathan Paetsch was selected as the team's McCulloch Trophy winner for community service. The defenseman from LeRoy, Saskatchewan, attended over 20 events this season, including multiple fire house and school appearances. He was always "Mr. Clutch" when a player was needed for an appearance.

The Most Popular Players this season were Ryan Miller and Norm Milley. Miller was named a First Team All-Star and the recipient of the Aldege "Baz" Bastien award as the American Hockey League's Outstanding Goalie. The East Lansing, Mich., native was the second Amerk to win the award, as Martin Biron was selected in 1998-99. Milley is in his fifth season with the Amerks and has moved in 13th place on the team's games played with 365.

Paul Gaustad was honored as the Rob Zabelny Unsung Hero and Jason Pominville won the game-winning goals award. Gaustad has a career-high 18 goals this season and Pominville leads the club with seven game-winners.

The Amerks' Booster Club Nancy Milliman Award winner as the Member of the Year went to Kris Ryan. The Booster Club also presented Jason Botterill with a special award for his service to the Amerks and the Rochester community. In addition, they donated money raised during the season to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rochester.

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