McElhinney Named Falcons' Most Valuable Player

April 14, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


Springfield, Mass. - Springfield Falcons goaltender Curtis McElhinney was named the team's Ross Lowe Memorial Most Valuable Player for the 2012-13 season on Sunday afternoon at the MassMutual Center.

The honor was announced during the team's annual awards ceremony prior to its final regular-season home game against the Connecticut Whale.

The Falcons' annual awards are named after longtime season-ticket holders, booster-club members, and off-ice officials.

McElhinney set a record in the 70-year history of AHL hockey in Springfield on Mar. 20 by recording his league-leading ninth shutout of the season, the most in a career by a Falcons goaltender. He was named the CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month for October, the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 11, and was selected to the AHL Second All-Star Team earlier this week. McElhinney is fourth in the league with a .925 save percentage, is eighth with a 2.24 goals-against average, and is third with 28 victories. The Denver, Colo. resident participated in the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic, leading all goaltenders with 15 saves on 16 shots.

Nick Drazenovic was named the club's Forward of the Year. Drazenovic has a career-high 50 points (17g-33a) and is tied atop the league with 28 power-play points (9g-19a). He tied a Springfield season high with four assists in a 4-2 win over Providence on Jan. 12.

Nick Holden was presented with the Al Lawrence Best Defensive Player honor. Holden entered Sunday's contest with a Springfield-best +23 rating and a career-high 39 points, placing him eighth among AHL blueliners with a career-high 39 points (9g-30a). The fifth-year pro was also named the recipient of the Jim Denver Good Guy award, presented to a player who devotes their time to the community during the season. Holden, the Falcons' IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year, led the Falcons' community efforts during the 2012-13 campaign, spearheading the club's partnership with Friends of the Homeless while also helping to organize a food drive to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

The Ronald Brault Player's Player award, given to a Falcon who earned the ultimate respect of his teammates during the season, went to the team's captain, Ryan Craig. A 10th-year pro, Craig led the Falcons by example both on and off the ice throughout the entire year.

Andrew Joudrey was the recipient of the Dick Casey True Grit honor, presented to a player for their courage, determination, and strong work ethic. Joudrey, who helped make up one of the best penalty-killing units in the AHL, was a mainstay in the Falcons' lineup, playing in 70 of the first 72 games.

Ryan Russell garnered the Florence Kurdziel Unsung Hero award, given to a player whose accomplishments, while sometimes unnoticed, were vital to the team's success. Russell, along with Joudrey, was one of the Falcons' most reliable penalty killers and best defensive forwards in 2012-13.

Sean Collins obtained the fan-voted Stevens Jewelers Diamond in the Rough award, presented to a player who performed above and beyond expectations during the season.

Jake Hansen collected the Muriel Strauss Good Sportsmanship title.

Below are the 2012-13 Falcons team awards:

Ross Lowe Memorial Most Valuable Player - Curtis McElhinney

Forward of the Year - Nick Drazenovic

Al Lawrence Best Defensive Player - Nick Holden

Jim Denver Good Guy - Nick Holden

Ronald Brault Player's Player - Ryan Craig

Dick Casey True Grit - Andrew Joudrey

Florence Kurdziel Unsung Hero - Ryan Russell

Stevens Jewelers Diamond in the Rough - Sean Collins

Muriel Strauss Good Sportsmanship - Jake Hansen



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