DOGS NAME TEAM AWARD WINNERS

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs have finally named their team award winners for the 2010-11 season, a campaign that saw them capture their first national championship.

The awards have been handed out annually since the Sea Dogs’ first season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Usually handed out after the regular season ends and before the playoffs begin, the team chose to wait until after their post-season run ended to hand out their hardware this year.

Here are the award winners:

Bell Aliant Most Valuable Player Award – Jonathan Huberdeau
Alpine Three Stars Award – Jonathan Huberdeau
Children’s Wish Foundation Fan Choice Award - Jonathan Huberdeau
Pepsi Top Scorer Award – Jonathan Huberdeau
Investors Group Top Defenseman – Simon Despres
Grant Thornton Rookie of the Year – Ryan Tesink
Scotiabank Community Service Award – Mike Thomas
Irving Oil Team Player Award – Stephen MacAulay
Tim Hortons Most Improved Player – Zack Phillips
Saint John Airport Academic Player of the Year Award – Steven Anthony

It’s not a surprise to see Huberdeau pick up the most hardware after the season he had. The 18-year old recorded 43 goals and 62 assists in 67 regular season games and added 16 markers and 30 points in 19 playoff contests. Along with the four team awards, he was also named the QMJHL’s playoff MVP and Memorial Cup MVP.

Another highlight of his hockey playing career will come on Friday in St. Paul, Minnesota where he will become the highest Sea Dogs player taken in the National Hockey League Entry Draft.

It’s no surprise Despres was named the Sea Dogs’ top defenseman after winning the QMJHL’s top defenseman award. Despres registered a career high 13 goals to go along with 28 assists in just 47 games. In the playoffs he scored four goals and eight assists in 19 appearances. The ‘Big Horse’ also helped Canada win a silver medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

Tesink scored eight goals and 35 points in 59 regular season games and another three goals and five points in 19 playoff games en route to being named the team’s top rookie.

Team captain Mike Thomas won the community service award. From the Sea Dogs website:

A hard worker on the ice, Thomas has also logged countless hours in the community throughout his career. Whether it’s spending time with sick and underprivileged children, visiting local schools for the Get FANatical About Math program, or simply taking a few minutes to sign autographs and speak with fans, Thomas has been an outstanding representative of the Sea Dogs organization.

MacAulay was awarded the team player award following a 15 goal and 16 assist regular season and a six goal and four assist post-season. The St. Louis Blues prospect is a solid defensive forward and proved to be a clutch goal scorer in the playoffs.

After recording 44 points in his rookie season, Phillips improved his total to 95 this season and was named the team’s most improved player. He battled a shoulder injury in the playoffs but still managed to get nine goals and 15 assists in 17 games.

Finally, Anthony was named Saint John’s academic player of the year. From the Sea Dogs website:

The 19-year-old Vancouver Canucks prospect is a dedicated, conscientious student and is diligent in balancing the demands of hockey with the demands of his studies in business administration at the University of New Brunswick Saint John. Reports from his instructors indicate a pleasant and interested student who is driven and determined.

Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation