Bulldogs announce individual award winners

April 13, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


The Hamilton Bulldogs announced today the winners of the hockey club's 2005-06 individual player awards.

Rookie forward Marc-Antoine Pouliot is the recipient of ‘The Hamilton Spectator Most Valuable Player Award' as voted by his teammates. Pouliot, a 20-year-old native of Quebec City, Quebec was also named the winner of ‘The Swiss Chalet Top Rookie Award' as selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs Broadcast Team. At the time of his recall to the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, the 195-pound center led the Bulldogs in points (45), assists (30), games played (65) and multipoint games (12). He continues to lead all Bulldogs rookies in points and remains tied for the team lead in multipoint contests.

Team Captain Dan Smith is the winner of ‘The Tim Hortons Top Defenceman Award' as voted by local media. Smith, 29, leads the team with a plus/minus rating of +14. Through 67 games this season, he has collected 16 assists and 59 penalty minutes. He recorded his 100th career AHL point this season when he earned an assist on December 22 against Cleveland.

Forwards J.J. Hunter and Jean-Francois Jacques have been named co-winners of ‘The Hamilton Bulldogs Fans' Choice Award' as selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs Booster Club. Hunter and Jacques enjoy interacting with fans and participating in community events. Hunter, a 25-year-old center from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, has posted 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 32 games this season. Jacques, a 20-year-old rookie left-winger from Terrebonne, Quebec, sits fourth in team scoring with 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) in 63 games.

Second-year forward Corey Locke has been given ‘The H.E.C.F.I. Community Leadership Award' for his work within the Hamilton Community as voted by the Hamilton Bulldogs front office staff. Locke visited several elementary schools in the Hamilton community, reading to children and speaking to them about the importance of school, health, and self-esteem. In addition he attended many team events including the annual player visit to McMaster Children Hospital, and assisted in raising money for the Hamilton Bulldogs Youth Fund by participating in the Player Draft, interacting with fans at the Bulldogs' first ever Casino Night and taking part in the Second Annual Pizza Pizza Skills Competition.

Locke will also be named the winner of ‘The Hamilton Bulldogs Leading Scorer Award'. The 21-year-old native of Newmarket, Ontario leads the Bulldogs in assists (38), points (56), and ranks third in power-play goals (8). He is tied for the team lead in games played (75) and multipoint games (12). The 175-pound center played in the 2006 AHL All-Star Classic.

First-year forward Maxim Lapierre has been awarded ‘The Partsource Sparkplug Award', as voted by the media during each home game for the hardest working player. The 21-year-old native of St. Leonard, Quebec, posted 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 73 games this season before being recalled by the Montreal Canadiens on April 10. The 200-pound center ranks second on the team with 214 penalty minutes.

The winner of ‘The Molson Cup Three Stars Award' will be announced at the end of the season. The current leaders for ‘The Molson Cup', as voted by the media each game, are Jacques (41 points) and Locke (35 points).

HAMILTON BULLDOGS INDIVIDUAL PLAYER AWARDS:

The Hamilton Spectator Most Valuable Player Award:

*As voted by the Hamilton Bulldogs players

Winner: Marc-Antoine Pouliot Previous Winners: Steve Passmore (1998-99), Daniel Cleary (1999-00), Paul Healey & Brian Swanson (2000-01), Brian Swanson (2001-02), Jason Ward (2002-03), Benoit Gratton (2003-04), Chris Higgins (2004-05)

The Swiss Chalet Top Rookie Award:

*As voted on by the Hamilton Bulldogs Radio Broadcast Team

Winner: Marc-Antoine Pouliot Previous Winners: Yann Danis (2004-05)

The Tim Horton's Top Defenceman Award:

*As voted on by the local media

Winner: Dan Smith Previous Winners: Todd Reirden (1998-99), Alex Zhurik (1999-00), Rory Fitzpatrick (2001-02), Sven Butenschon (2001-02), Marc-Andre Bergeron (2002-03), Francois Beauchemin & Patrick Traverse (2003-04), Dan Jancevski (2004-05)

The Hamilton Bulldogs Fans' Choice Award:

* As voted on by The Growl - the Hamilton Bulldogs' Booster Club

Winner: J.J. Hunter, Jean-Francois Jacques Previous Winners: Chris Ferraro (1998-99), Mike Minard (1999-00), Jason Chimera (2000-01), Brian Swanson (2001-02), Marc-Andre Bergeron (2002-03), Duncan Milroy (2003-04), Corey Locke (2004-05)

The Hamilton Entertainment and Convention Facilities Inc. (H.E.C.F.I.) Community Leadership Award:

*As voted on by the staff of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Club

Winner: Corey Locke Previous Winners: Jeff Daw (1998-99), Mike Minard (1999-00), Ryan Risidore (2000-01), Alain Nasreddine (2001-02), Jason Ward (2003-03), Duncan Milroy (2003-04), Duncan Milroy (2004-05)

The Hamilton Bulldogs Leading Scorer Award:

*Awarded to the Bulldogs Leading Scorer during the regular season

Winner: Corey Locke Previous Winners: Tomas Plekanec (2004-05)

The Part Source Sparkplug Award: (Hardest Working Bulldogs Player at Home)

*As voted on by the local media at each home game throughout the season.

Winner: Maxim Lapierre Previous Winners: Steve Potvin (1998-99), Brian Swanson (1999-00), Chad Hinz (2000-01), Jason Chimera (2001-02), Tony Salmelainen & Jarret Stoll (2002-03), Jozef Balej (2003-04), Steve Ott (2004-05)

The Molson Cup:

*As voted on by the media at each game throughout the season (Three Stars of the Game)

Winner: To be determined at end of regular season Previous Winners: Steve Passmore (1998-99), Daniel Cleary (1999-00), Paul Healey (2000-01), Brian Swanson (2001-02), Jason Ward (2002-03), Jozef Balej (2003-04), Yann Danis (2004-05)



American Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2006


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