Post by Terry on May 24, 2008 15:28:15 GMT -5
Justin Azevedo named Canadian Hockey League's player of the year
Canadian Press
May 24, 2008, 3:26 PM EDT
KITCHENER, Ont. - Kitchener Rangers centre Justin Azevedo was named the Canadian Hockey League's player of the year Saturday.
The 20-year-old from West Lorne, Ont., also won the CHL's scoring trophy with 43 goals and 81 assists in 67 regular-season games.
The CHL is the umbrella organization of the Western, Ontario and Quebec major junior hockey leagues.
Previous winners of the CHL's player-of-the-year award include John Tavares (2007), Sidney Crosby (2004-05), Brad Richards (2000), Eric Lindros (1991) and Mario Lemieux (1984).
Azevedo was chosen the OHL's most outstanding player in both the regular season and playoffs. He led the Rangers with 10 goals and 26 assists in 20 playoff games.
He leads the Memorial Cup in scoring with four goals and seven assists in four games heading into Sunday's championship game against the Spokane Chiefs (Rogers Sportsnet, 4:40 p.m. ET).
Azevedo is undrafted although he attended the Atlanta Thrashers rookie camp two years ago.
He plays bigger than his five-foot-eight, 180-pound frame, he wins battles for the puck in the corner and along the boards. His speed and quick shot make him a dynamic and dangerous player.
Azevedo was chosen ahead of Western Hockey League's Karl Alzner of the Calgary Hitmen and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Francis Pare of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
Alzner, the captain of the Canadian team that won gold at the world junior hockey championship, was named the CHL's top defenceman. The native of Burnaby, B.C., signed an entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals earlier this week.
Chet Pickard of the Tri-City Americans was named top goaltender. The 18-year-old from Winnipeg posted a 46-12-2-2 record in the WHL with a goals-against average of 2.32 and a save percentage of .918.
Windsor Spitfires forward Taylor Hall was selected the CHL's top 1/8 rookie. The 16-year-old from Kingston had 84 points (45 goals, 39 assists) in 63 games and helped lead Canada to a world under-18 championship last month.
Former NHL player Bob Boughner was named coach of the year after navigating Windsor to a 41-15-7-5 record in the OHL.
Steve Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting was selected the league top NHL draft prospect for next month's entry draft in Ottawa.
Moncton Wildcats captain Chris Morehouse won the CHL's humanitarian award for his involvement in reading and hospital programs in his three years with the team.
Cape Breton winger Robert Slaney earned the league's scholastic honour. Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll of the Shawinigan-Cataractes was given the sportsmanship award.
www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=364256&page=NewsPage&service=page
Canadian Press
May 24, 2008, 3:26 PM EDT
KITCHENER, Ont. - Kitchener Rangers centre Justin Azevedo was named the Canadian Hockey League's player of the year Saturday.
The 20-year-old from West Lorne, Ont., also won the CHL's scoring trophy with 43 goals and 81 assists in 67 regular-season games.
The CHL is the umbrella organization of the Western, Ontario and Quebec major junior hockey leagues.
Previous winners of the CHL's player-of-the-year award include John Tavares (2007), Sidney Crosby (2004-05), Brad Richards (2000), Eric Lindros (1991) and Mario Lemieux (1984).
Azevedo was chosen the OHL's most outstanding player in both the regular season and playoffs. He led the Rangers with 10 goals and 26 assists in 20 playoff games.
He leads the Memorial Cup in scoring with four goals and seven assists in four games heading into Sunday's championship game against the Spokane Chiefs (Rogers Sportsnet, 4:40 p.m. ET).
Azevedo is undrafted although he attended the Atlanta Thrashers rookie camp two years ago.
He plays bigger than his five-foot-eight, 180-pound frame, he wins battles for the puck in the corner and along the boards. His speed and quick shot make him a dynamic and dangerous player.
Azevedo was chosen ahead of Western Hockey League's Karl Alzner of the Calgary Hitmen and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Francis Pare of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
Alzner, the captain of the Canadian team that won gold at the world junior hockey championship, was named the CHL's top defenceman. The native of Burnaby, B.C., signed an entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals earlier this week.
Chet Pickard of the Tri-City Americans was named top goaltender. The 18-year-old from Winnipeg posted a 46-12-2-2 record in the WHL with a goals-against average of 2.32 and a save percentage of .918.
Windsor Spitfires forward Taylor Hall was selected the CHL's top 1/8 rookie. The 16-year-old from Kingston had 84 points (45 goals, 39 assists) in 63 games and helped lead Canada to a world under-18 championship last month.
Former NHL player Bob Boughner was named coach of the year after navigating Windsor to a 41-15-7-5 record in the OHL.
Steve Stamkos of the Sarnia Sting was selected the league top NHL draft prospect for next month's entry draft in Ottawa.
Moncton Wildcats captain Chris Morehouse won the CHL's humanitarian award for his involvement in reading and hospital programs in his three years with the team.
Cape Breton winger Robert Slaney earned the league's scholastic honour. Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll of the Shawinigan-Cataractes was given the sportsmanship award.
www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=364256&page=NewsPage&service=page
