Iowa Stars Year-End Awards

Published on April 15, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


DES MOINES, IA - Immediately following Saturday's American Hockey League (AHL) game with Iowa hosting the Peoria Rivermen, a 5-1 Iowa victory, several Iowa Stars players were honored for the achievements during the 2005-06 season.

Rookie of the Year - Loui Eriksson à Selected by Iowa Stars Coaches and Management, this award is presented to the player deemed be most proficient in their first professional season With 58 points, this first year AHL'er out of Goteberg, Sweden entered tonight's game as the Stars top goal scorer and is among the League leaders in rookie scoring He has reached that mark by notching a team-high 29 goals. The crafty left winger has had several impressive streaks this season, including a franchise-high eight-game points-streak that saw him record six goals and seven assists for 13 points and a ‘plus 13' rating. He also leads the team with 12 power play goals. In 32 games since the All-Star break, March's AHL Rookie of the Month has registered 15 goals, 17 assists and a ‘plus 18' rating.

Most Improved Player - Nicklas Grossman à Presented to the player who, in the opinion of coaches and management, has shown the most improvement over the course of the season. Drafted by Dallas with their 4th choice, 56th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Grossman is playing in his first season of professional hockey in North America. A former Captain for Team Sweden at the 2005 World Junior Championships, he has seen a steady increase to his playing time under the tutelage of Patrick Traverse and Dan Jancevski. The solid and hard-hitting defenseman is just 21-years old.

Fan Favorite - Toby Petersen à Chosen by Iowa Stars fans via online balloting at iowastarshockey.com. As part of Saturday's Fan Appreciation celebration, Iowa Stars Season Ticket Holder Allen DeHeer was chosen from the fans in attendance to present the award.

Best Defenseman - Dan Jancevski à Selected by the local media, this award is presented to the defenseman adjudged to be the most proficient at his position. Because the AHL does not keep statistics for blocked shots, hits, and for all the game changing ‘little' things he does in his defensive zone, Jancevski's name usually does not appear on the scoresheet. However this season, the recently dethroned AHL ironman for the longest consecutive streak for games played (257), has put forth his best overall offensive season in his five-year career, while continuing his stellar play in the defensive zone. The Windsor, Ontario native is tied for fourth on the team with a career-high 37 points and career-high nine goals: (9/28/376).

7th Player - Loui Eriksson à As voted on by his teammates, first year forward Loui Eriksson was recognized as the player that has gone beyond expectations and carried out a larger role than expected. Making adjustments to a new team is hard enough, but making this adjustment while in a new country, thousands of miles away from home, and at such a young age makes it harder. After struggling during the first portion of the season, Eriksson seemed to regroup and since the All-Star break has been one of the most productive players on the team. Since that time, the 20-year old rookie has continued to impress his coaches, fellow Stars, fans and even his opponents.

Community Service Award - Toby Petersen à Selected by members of the Iowa Stars Front Office, the Community Service Award is given to the player that has made the greatest commitment to the local community and charitable organizations throughout the season. Quietly and without much fanfare, Toby has truly become a great ambassador to Blank Children's Hospital on behalf of himself and the Iowa Stars organization. Not one to seek out the spotlight, Petersen gives several hours of his time each week to spend with the children. Truly a team leader on and off the ice, he is often the one to lead the charge when it involves children. He is a great ambassador for the Stars and the game of hockey in the Des Moines area.

American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Francis Wathier à Selected by the Iowa Stars Front Office, this award is presented to the team member who performs above and beyond with regard to community and charitable organizations during the season. Named the Stars recipient for the League-wide award, Francis and his fiancée Isabel have graciously volunteered their time and energy to various Iowa Stars appearances and community initiatives. Though an injury sidelined him early in the season, both continuously visited various schools as part of the school's reading program, stressing the importance of education and reading. Never has he said no to an event. Along with Toby Petersen, Francis is often one of the first to sign up when a curriculum is posted and never asks for anything in return. He too is a great ambassador for the Stars and the game of hockey in the Des Moines area.

Most Valuable Player - Toby Petersen à Selected by his fellow teammates, this award will be presented annually to the player that is the most valuable to the team. This multidimensional centerman has been a key component to the Stars success this season. You'll find him killing penalties, on the power play and in the face-off circle at critical times in the game. Since turning pro in 2000, Petersen has appeared in 474 out of a possible 490 games. The sixth year pro from Minneapolis, MN has led the Stars in points for a majority of the season, pacing the Stars with 72 points. Certainly of note was the fact that in 28 of the Stars 40 wins this season, Petersen had recorded at least one point. Coming into Saturday's game, he's notched 16 multiple points games and is the only Iowa player to have appeared in every game to date.

STARS NEXT GAMES: Iowa wrap's up the Regular Season with games on Sunday. The puck drops on Wells Fargo Arena ice at 5:05 PM. Doors open for all home games one hour prior to face-off. All ticketing information can be obtained by calling 515-23-STARS or by visiting iowastarshockey.com.

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