Gauthier The Big Winner At Banquet

SAINT JOHN – Danick Gauthier was the big winner at the Saint John Sea Dogs’ annual team awards banquet at the Delta Brunswick.

The Sea Dogs’ leading scorer took home three awards for his team record setting 47-goal campaign. Gauthier won the Pepsi Top Scorer Award, the Alpine Three Stars Award and was named the Tim Hortons Most Improved Player.

The 20-year old Tampa Bay Lightning prospect recorded 86 points in 66 games this year. He had 11 goals and 30 points in 65 games last year.

Oliver Cooper and Sebastien Auger were co-winners of the Grant Thornton Rookie of the Year Award. Cooper, the Sea Dogs’ top pick in last year’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft, recorded 10 goals and 14 assists in 60 games this season. Auger had a record of 14-2-0-2 to go with a goals against average of 2.65 and save percentage of 0.897.

The Children’s Wish Foundation Fan Choice Award went to captain Jonathan Huberdeau, the Scotiabank Community Service Award was awarded to forward Grant West, the Irving Oil Team Player Award was won by forward Stephen MacAulay, and the Saint John Airport Academic Player of the Year went to defenseman Kevin Gagne.

Two awards – the Bell Aliant Most Valuable Player and the Sun Life Global Investments Top Defenceman – were not presented at the banquet as they will be named upon the conclusion of the Sea Dogs' playoff run.

Photo Credit: 97.3 The Wave