Pirates Award Year-End Honors

Published on April 6, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME - The Portland Pirates handed out their annual year-end awards following Sunday's final regular season home game against the Saint John Flames. Eight individuals were honored with awards.

Goaltender Maxime Ouellet was the big winner of the day, taking home four awards. The Beauport, Quebec native was named the Most Valuable Player as voted by the fans and the HG Insurance Man of the Year Award in recognition of his commitment to the community. Ouellet was also awarded the Allied Home Mortgage Three Star Award, given to the player who accumulates the most three stars points throughout the season. In addition, he was given the Jack Button Award as the Washington Capitals' top prospect to play with the Pirates this season.

Ouellet, who also received a ring from the American Hockey League in recognition of being named to the AHL Second All-Star Team, posted impressive numbers in 2002-03 with a career-high 22 wins, career-low 2.40 GAA and a league-leading seven shutouts. He was named Sher-Wood/AHL Player of the Week in January. He was also the starting goaltender for the Canadian AHL All-Star team in the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic in Portland and is a finalist for the AHL's 2002-2003 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as AHL Man of the Year for community service.

Second-year right wing Graham Mink was named the Unsung Hero, as voted by the fans. Prior to Sunday's game, Mink had already posted career numbers with 22 goals, 15 assists and 115 PIM in 71 games played. The Stowe, Vermont native joined the Washington Capitals' organization last season as a free agent following three years with the University of Vermont.

Pirates' fans voted Chris and Peter Ferraro as the Pirates' Most Popular Players. It was the first tie in the history of the award. The veteran forwards posted impressive numbers despite a difficult year due to the lengthy illness and subsequent death of Chris' wife, Jennifer, in November. The twins returned to the Pirates in mid-December after missing more than a month of the season and quickly moved to the top of the team's scoring ranks. Entering Sunday's game, Peter led the team with 63 points in 57 games played while Chris was fourth in scoring with 50 points in 55 games played. Peter earned Sher-Wood/AHL Player of the Week honors in January. The brothers served as co-captains for the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars in the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic.

Chris Ferraro was also honored this past week as the co-winner of the AHL's Fred T. Hunt Award for sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.

Rugged winger Mel Angelstad added to his collection of Pirates' hardware, receiving the Players' Player Award as voted by the players. This marks the second consecutive year the native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has received the honor which is given to the teammate Pirates players would "most want by their sides in a close game".

Center Trent Whitfield was honored with the Tom Ebright Award, given to the player who best exemplifies what it means to be a Portland Pirate as envisioned by team founder, the late Tom Ebright. Whitfield was recalled to the Washington Capitals and was not in Portland to receive the award. He scored a team-leading 27 goals and added 34 assists in 64 games with the Pirates prior to his recall. He earned Sher-Wood/AHL Player of the Week honors in December and represented the Pirates on the Canadian AHL All-Star team in the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic.

The Pirates also handed out their annual Pirates' Partners Awards, given to those who work on the team's behalf in a behind-the-scenes role. Rayette Hudon and Duane Gregory were honored for their work on behalf of Salty Pete's Kids' Club and group sales, respectively.

The Pirates will begin the quest for the 2003 Calder Cup on Thursday, hosting the Manitoba Moose in a best-of-three qualifying round. Tickets for the first round of the playoffs go on sale to the public on Monday at Noon. The Civic Center box office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and tickets may also be purchased by phone by calling the Civic Center at 775-3458. In addition, tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at 775-3331 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2003


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