Pensacola's Neilson Named ECHL Defenseman Of The Year
Published on April 4, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL) News Release
PRINCETON, N.J. â The ECHL on Sunday announced that Pensacola's Corey
Neilson is the recipient of the 2003-04 ECHL Defenseman of the Year Award
as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches. The ECHL Defenseman of the Year
Award is presented annually to the defensive player who demonstrates
throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.
Louisiana's Ben Storey finished second in the voting followed by
Mississippi's Jim Baxter, Las Vegas' Jason McBain, Greensboro's Geno
Parrish and Atlantic City's Brian Fahey.
Neilson became the first Pensacola defenseman to be named All-ECHL when he
was named to the First Team on Thursday. He is the second player in team
history to be named to the All-ECHL First Team and the third overall to be
named All-ECHL. In 2001-02, Louis Dumont was named All-ECHL First Team at
right wing and Greg Pankewicz was named All-ECHL Second Team at right wing.
Selected in the third round (53rd overall) by Edmonton in the 1994 NHL
Entry Draft, Neilson led ECHL defensemen and tied for eighth overall in
scoring with 78 points (19g-59a) while leading the ECHL with 35 power-play
assists and 44 power-play points (9g-35a) in 72 games. Voted as a starter
for the Western Conference for the 2004 ECHL All-Star Game, the 6-5 and
225-pound Neilson tied for the lead among defensemen with 19 goals while
leading defensemen and tying for third overall in assists with 59.
The ECHL will announce the recipient of the Leading Scorer Award and the
recipient of the C&T Hockey Products Plus Performer of the Year Award on
Tuesday, April 6.
ECHL Defenseman of the Year Award Winners
2003-04 Corey Neilson, Pensacola Ice Pilots
2002-03 Jim Baxter, Mississippi Sea Wolves
2001-02 Duncan Dalmao, Roanoke Express
2000-01 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1999-00 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1998-99 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1997-98 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1996-97 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1995-96 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1994-95 Brandon Smith, Dayton Bombers
1993-94 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1992-93 Derek Booth, Toledo Storm
1991-92 Scott White, Greensboro Monarchs
1990-91 Brett MacDonald, Nashville Knights
1989-90 Bill Whitfield, Virginia Lancers
1988-89 Kelly Szauter, Erie Panthers
ECHL Stories from April 4, 2004
- Pensacola's Neilson Named ECHL Defenseman Of The Year - ECHL
- Grrrowl weekly - Greenville Grrrowl
- Neilson Wins ECHL's Defenseman Of The Year - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- Individual Playoff Tickets On Sale - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- San Diego Wins Brabham Cup With 108 Points - ECHL
- Cyclones Fall to Dayton to End 2003-04 Season - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Checkers fall to Columbia in overtime, 4-3 - Charlotte Checkers
- Falcons Win Season Finale in a Shootout, 4-3 - Fresno Falcons
- Condors Season Comes to a Close - Bakersfield Condors
- Alaska drops finale in San Diego, 2-1 - Alaska Aces
- Gulls Win Brabham Cup With 2-1 Victory over Alaska - San Diego Gulls
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