DOGS HAND OUT FINAL HARDWARE

Even though the season is over, Mike Hoffman continues to rack in the awards.

Today, Hoffman was named the Saint John Sea Dogs’ Bell Aliant Most Valuable Player for the 2009-2010 regular season campaign. The Ottawa Senators draft pick was also named Quebec Major Junior Hockey League MVP in March.

Hoffman, who was a surprise return to the Sea Dogs after Senators camp, was one of the most integral parts to Saint John’s superior regular season. The 20-year played most of the year centering the teams “big line” with Nicholas Petersen and Stanislav Galiev.

Playing in just 56 of 68 regular season games, Hoffman led the Sea Dogs in scoring with 85 points and in goals with 43. His 43 markers set a new Saint John franchise record

Michael Kirkpatrick and Simon Despres were named the Bell Aliant FibreOp Playoff MVP’s today, the first award of its kind in team history.

Kirkpatrick finished the playoffs with 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points, becoming the first Sea Dog to win the QMJHL playoff scoring race.

The newly turned 20-year old who will hope to have his name heard at the National Hockey League Draft in June. "Kirky" led the Sea Dogs in President’s Cup Final scoring with seven points against the Moncton Wildcats.

Despres, a Pittsburgh Penguins first round draft pick, finished second in playoff scoring among defenseman with two goals and 17 assists for 19 points. The third year Sea Dog was stellar at the blue line all post-season long, posting a team high rating of plus-14 in 21 games.

Wildcats forward Gabriel Bourque was named the QMJHL’s playoff MVP.

Vancouver Canucks prospect Yann Sauve was named the Investors Group Top Defenseman. Sauve was paired with Nathan Beaulieu for much of the year and finished the regular season with seven goals and 29 assists for 36 points. All three categories are career highs.

In the post-season, the first overall pick in the 2006 QMJHL entry draft had five goals and 10 assists.

Saintjohnseadogs.com also reports that Sauve improved "his plus/minus rating by an incredible 46 points over the previous season (from -4 to +42)."

Russian import Stanislav Galiev was named the Grant Thornton Rookie of the Year. The swift winger was a nominee for the league’s best rookie award as well.

Galiev had an impressive rookie campaign while playing major minutes for the duration of the year. The draft eligible forward finished the regular season second in QMJHL rookie scoring with 15 goals and 45 assists.

In the playoffs, Galiev appeared to be worn down a bit after missing only one regular season game. The first overall pick in the 2009 CHL import draft finished the post-season with eight goals and 11 assists but was held pointless in the league Final against Moncton.

The following team awards were handed out at the Sea Dogs’ Fifth Annual Awards Banquet back on March 15 at the Delta Brunswick Hotel:

Alpine Three Stars, Children’s Wish Foundation Fan Choice, & Coca-Cola Top Scorer – Mike Hoffman

Scotiabank Community Service Award – Zack Phillips

Irving Oil Team Player– Kevin Gagné

Tim Hortons Most Improved Player – Tomas Jurco

Saint John Airport Academic Player of the Year – Michael Kirkpatrick