Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Mike Hoffman earns MVP Award; Petr Straka named RDS Rookie of the Year

Press Release

MONTREAL, Wednesday, March 31, 2010 – The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League tonight celebrated the exploits of the most deserving stars of the 2009-10 season at the Golden Puck Awards Gala which was held at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in the heart of downtown Montreal. Hosted by NRJ star Christian Tétreault and Rogers Sportsnet hockey expert Louis Jean, the Gala was a smashing success.

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring together our players, our organizations as well as several of hockey’s biggest legends in this beautiful setting where we can celebrate the season’s biggest stars," said QMJHL Commissioner Gilles Courteau. "This is an outstanding event where several generations of players can share stories and memories which will last a lifetime. I would like to congratulate all the players who were nominated."

Here are this season’s winners:

Michel-Brière Trophy – Most Valuable Player

Mike Hoffman (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Hoffman scored 46 goals and added 39 assists in 46 games. Moreover, he registered 15 game-winners. Finally, he posted a +38 rating and helped the Sea Dogs win the Jean-Rougeau Trophy.

RDS Cup – Rookie of the Year

Petr Straka (Rimouski Océanic)

Straka recorded 28 goals and 36 assists in 62 games this season. Furthermore, he scored 4 game-winners.

Marcel-Robert Trophy – TELUS Scholastic Player of the Year

Dominic Jalbert (Chicoutimi Saguenéens)

Jalbert wishes to pursue a finance degree once he completes his major junior internship. He is considering offers from McGill University and Moncton University.

Émile-Bouchard Trophy – Best Defenceman

David Savard (Moncton Wildcats)

The defenseman collected 13 goals and added 64 helpers in 64 games. Moreover, he posted an excellent +32 rating.

Paul-Dumont Trophy – Personality of the Year

Joël Chouinard (Victoriaville Tigres)

Chouinard was an ambassador in his community, investing time and effort in numerous causes in the Bois-Franc region. A finalist for the Marcel-Robert Trophy and the Victoriaville Tigres’ general on the blue-line, he helped the team win 46 games, tying the franchise record.

Humanitarian Award

Nick MacNeil (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)

MacNeil, the captain of the Screaming Eagles, quickly realized that he could use his notoriety to make an impact in his community. His implication in programs such as Paws-to-Read and Steps-for-Health greatly befenited the area’s youth.

Jean-Béliveau Trophy – Scoring Champion

Sean Couturier (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

The 17-year-old finished the season with 41 goals and 55 assists for a total of 96 points in 68 games. Moreover, he posted a very impressive +62 rating.

Jacques-Plante Trophy – Best Goals-Against-Average

Jake Allen (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

The Fredericton native took part in 51 games, registering 29 wins, including 4 shutouts. Furthermore, he maintained a league-leading 2.20 goals-against-average and .922 save percentage.

Frank-J.-Selke Trophy – Most Sportsmanlike

Mike Hoffman (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Along with his 85 points, Hoffman received only 38 penalty minutes in 56 games.

Michael-Bossy Trophy – Best Professional Prospect

Brandon Gormley (Moncton Wildcats)

Gormley scored 9 goals and added 34 assists while posting a +31 rating in 58 games. He is predicted to go in the top ten in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Ron-Lapointe Trophy – Coach of the Year

Gerard Gallant (Saint John Sea Dogs)

Gallant led the team to the regular season championship after a 109-point season; the first in franchise history.

Maurice-Filion Trophy – General Manager of the Year

Dominic Ricard (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

Ricard helped the Voltigeurs finish second in the overall standings; a finish the fooled all the skeptics. He wins the award for a second consecutive year.

ALL-STAR TEAMS

1st Team All-Stars

G – Jake Allen (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
D – David Savard (Moncton Wildcats)
D – Joël Chouinard (Victoriaville Tigres)
C – Luke Adam (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
A – Mike Hoffman (Saint John Sea Dogs)
A – Gabriel Dumont (Drummondville Voltigeurs)

2nd Team All-Stars

G – Kevin Poulin (Victoriaville Tigres)
D – Brandon Gormley (Moncton Wildcats)
D – Mark Barberio (Moncton Wildcats)
C – Sean Couturier (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
A – Nicholas Petersen (Saint John Sea Dogs)
A – Nicolas Deschamps (Moncton Wildcats)

All-Rookie Team

G – Robin Gusse (Chicoutimi Saguenéens)
D – Adam Polasek (P.E.I. Rocket)
D – Xavier Ouellet (Montreal Juniors)
C – Alexandre Comtois (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
A – Stanislav Galiev (Saint John Sea Dogs)
A – Petr Straka (Rimouski Océanic)

Of note, the John-Horman Trophy (Executive of the Year) and Jean-Sawyer Trophy (Marketing Director of the Year) will be awarded at the Entry Draft which will be held from June 2 to 5 in Drummondville.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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