Awards Selection to Begin
Published on February 26, 2003 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
With 83 percent of the Central Hockey League's regular season schedule completed, the process of determining this year's CHL award winners has begun. Each CHL member team is in the process of submitting their nominations for each of the awards to be distributed. Included in this season's awards are four to be determined by voting among coaches, public relations directors and selected media representatives throughout the CHL.
Their votes will determine the regular season Most Valuable Player, the Scott Brower Memorial (Most Outstanding Goaltender), Most Outstanding Defenseman and Rookie of the Year recipients. The CHL Coach of the Year will be selected through voting by fellow coaches only, while the CHL front office will determine the winners of both the CHL Man of the Year and Rick Kozuback awards based on team nominations. The CHL Man of the Year award is "Presented annually to the CHL player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community," while the Rick Kozuback award is "Presented annually to the CHL 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," in honor of WPHL co-founder Rick Kozuback. Additionally, an award will be presented to the CHL Scoring Champion at the conclusion of the season.
Still up for grabs this season is the Governor's Cup, to be presented to the regular season champions. The race for regular season supremacy will likely come down to conference leaders Austin and Indianapolis. Austin holds a 13-point lead in the Southern Conference and could still finish with 105 points on the season, while Indianapolis has a 10-point lead in the Northern Conference and can still reach 99 points for the year. The Governor's Cup could ultimately be determined March 14th, when Austin visits Indianapolis to begin the final weekend of regular season play.
The real prize targeted is the Ray Miron President's Cup, awarded to the CHL's Playoff Champions, and this season features a remarkable playoff race. Only Austin has secured a playoff berth at this time, and only two clubs have been mathematically eliminated from post-season contention. Five teams in the Northern Conference are battling for three playoff spots and separated by just two points, while Corpus Christi, Lubbock and New Mexico are embroiled in a race for the fourth and final Southern Conference slot, with just three points separating the three playoff hopefuls.
Pointstreak PRO Performance of the Week:
With just two points separating three clubs in the CHL's Northwest Division, every game is crucial, and Oklahoma City center Dave Shields guaranteed a victory with a five-point performance February 21st. With family visiting Oklahoma City, the native of Calgary, Alberta scored three even strength goals and added a pair of assists in the Blazers 9-2 win over San Angelo. The Blazers sit tied with Tulsa in the standings with 67 points (and a game in hand) and have a two-point lead on Amarillo, who has a game in hand on Oklahoma City.
Central Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2003
- Jackalopes Name Interim Coach - Odessa Jackalopes
- Blazers and Sooners Team Up Tomorrow - Oklahoma City Blazers
- Oilers Activate Wilkinson Before Tonight's Game - Tulsa Oilers
- Awards Selection to Begin - CHL
- Bats Near Division Title - Austin Ice Bats
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