Bulldogs' Cedrick Desjardins and Curtis Sanford win Harry "Hap" Holmes Award

Published on April 10, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Hamilton Bulldogs News Release


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The American Hockey League has announced that Hamilton Bulldogs goaltenders Cedrick Desjardins and Curtis Sanford have won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for the 2009-2010 season. Since 1972, the award has been presented to the goaltenders on the team which allows the fewest goals in the regular season.

Hamilton surrendered just 182 goals in 2009-2010 and finished its regular season with a record of 52-17-3-8, setting franchise records for wins and points (115) in a season. The Bulldogs captured their first North Division title since 2004 and finished with the best mark in the Western Conference. Hamilton will open its division semifinal Calder Cup Playoff series against either Manitoba or Abbotsford on Thursday night.

Desjardins, a Second-Team AHL All-Star this season, ranks first in the AHL in goals-against average (2.00), tied for fifth in save percentage (.919) and second in shutouts (six) while going 29-9-4 in 47 appearances for Hamilton. Sanford played 41 games and went 23-11-3, good for third in the league with a 2.13 GAA to go with his .916 save percentage and four shutouts. The pair also shared two shutouts, giving Hamilton 12 as a team.

The Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award, which was first awarded in 1948 to the goaltender with the best goals-against average in the AHL, is named for Hockey Hall of Famer Harry "Hap" Holmes, a prominent figure in early professional hockey and an outstanding goaltender of his time. Previous winners or co-winners of the award include Gil Mayer (1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956), Johnny Bower (1957, 1958), Marcell Paille (1961, 1962), Gerry Cheevers (1965), Gillers Villemure (1969 1970), Pete Peeters (1979), Pelle Lindbergh (1981), Olaf Kolzig (1994), Mike Dunham (1995), Manny Legace (1996), Jean-Sebastien Giguere (1998), Martin Biron (1999), Joey MacDonald (2003), Jason LaBarbera (2005, 2007), Dany Sabourin (2006), and Cory Schneider (2009).

Currently in its 74th season of play, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 85 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 58 million fans have attended AHL games across North American over the past nine years. The 2009-2010 season ends on Sunday, and 16 clubs will continue to vie for the league's coveted championship trophy when the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs get underway next week.

The Bulldogs will begin the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs on Thursday, April 15th with Game 1 at Copps Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. against either the Manitoba Moose or Abbotsford Heat. Fans can listen to every ‘Dogs game on the flagship station of the Hamilton Bulldogs Hockey Network, TALK 820. Fans can also listen or watch at www.hamiltonbulldogs.com by clicking on the ‘AHL Live' or ‘TALK 820' icons on the Bulldogs website.

Tickets for the Hamilton Bulldogs' Games 1 and 2 of the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs are available at the Copps Coliseum Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or through charge-by-phone at 905-527-7666. For more information on ‘Dogs season tickets, flex packs, mini packs and group tickets call 905-529-8500 or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from April 10, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central