Toledo's Sawyer Named Defenseman Of The Year
April 7, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release
PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL on Wednesday announced that J.C. Sawyer of the Toledo Walleye is the ECHL Defenseman of the Year for 2009-10 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.
Eric Regan of the Bakersfield Condors and Mitch Ganzak of the Wheeling Nailers were the runners up for the award.
The winner of the Reebok Goaltender of the Year award will be announced on Thursday.
Sawyer, who was named First Team All-ECHL on Thursday, led all defensemen with 21 goals, 59 points and seven game-winning goals while ranking second with 38 assists. He finished tied for fourth among defensemen with 18 power-play assists and was fifth with 24 power-play points. He was chosen as a starter for the 2010 ECHL All-Star Game and served as captain for the American Conference and also appeared in the 2008 All-Star Game while with Pensacola. Sawyer, who is under contract to Chicago of the National Hockey League, has suited up for Rockford of the American Hockey League in four games this season where he has one assist.
ECHL Defenseman of the Year Award Winners
2009-10 J.C. Sawyer, Toledo Walleye
2008-09 Dylan Yeo, Victoria Salmon Kings
2007-08 Peter Metcalf, Alaska Aces
2006-07 Jon Awe, Gwinnett Gladiators
2005-06 Ryan Gaucher, Alaska Aces
2004-05 Ray DiLauro, Wheeling Nailers
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 7, 2010
- Salmon Kings Take Game 1 from Condors - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Wranglers Outpaced by Grizzlies, 4-1 - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Grizzlies Even Series With 4-1 Win; Game 3 Saturday At E-Center - Utah Grizzlies
- Condors drop series opener 6-3 to the Salmon Kings - Bakersfield Condors
- Five Unanswered Goals Propel Jackals to Game 2 Win - Elmira Jackals
- Elmira Evens Series 1-1 with 5-2 Win - Florida Everblades
- Royals Even Series with Win in K-Zoo, 4-1 - Reading Royals
- Stingrays Tie Series with 3-1 Win Over Cyclones - South Carolina Stingrays
- Checkers Rebound With 6-1 Win Over Walleye - Charlotte Checkers
- South Carolina Claims 3-1 Win Over Cyclones - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Reading Evens Up Series with Game Two Victory - Kalamazoo Wings
- Series Evened, Top-Seeded Checkers King Walleye in Game 2, 6-1 - Toledo Walleye
- D'Alvise is Reebok Hockey ECHL Rookie of the Month - Stockton Thunder
- Salmon Kings Welcome Eberle To Front Office - Victoria Salmon Kings
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Miller Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Player of the Month - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Munce Named ECHL Goaltender Of The Month - Charlotte Checkers
- Toledo's Aliu Fined, Suspended - ECHL
- Thunder Draw Over 200,000 Fans For 5th Straight Year - Stockton Thunder
- Countdown To Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- Toledo's Sawyer Named Defenseman Of The Year - ECHL
- Idaho's Derlago Named AMI Graphics ECHL Plus Performer For March - ECHL
- Jackals Playoff Game Preview: Elmira At Florida, Game 2 - Elmira Jackals
- Canadiens' Halak Named Meigray ECHL Alumnus Of The Month - ECHL
- ECHL Today - ECHL
- Thunder Send Series Back To Stockton Tied, 1-1 In Four Goal Third Period Rally - Stockton Thunder
- Thunder Evens Series With 5-2 Win - Alaska Aces
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