ECHL - Premier 'AA' Hockey League

Awards

Patrick J. Kelly Cup	2009	South Carolina Stingrays
Beginning with the 1996-97 season, the Patrick J. Kelly Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the ECHL. History: Named in recognition of Patrick J. Kelly, one of the founding fathers of the ECHL. Kelly served as Commissioner of the ECHL for the first eight seasons before being named Commissioner Emeritus in 1996, a title which he continues to hold. Kelly celebrated his 50th season in hockey in 2002-03, having begun his career with the St. Catherine Teepees of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 1952. He played professionally for the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League, the Troy Bruins of the International Hockey League, and the Greensboro Generals of the Eastern Hockey League. Kelly coached in the Eastern Hockey League from 1965-73 and was head coach and general manager of Charlotte in the Southern Hockey League from 1973-76. He coached the Colorado Rockies in the NHL in 1977-78 and is the only coach to lead the Rockies to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Following coaching stops in the American Hockey League, he went to Peoria in the International Hockey League where he led the Rivermen to the Turner Cup in his first season in 1984-85. The ECHL is proud to recognize Patrick J. Kelly’s distinguished career by naming its most coveted trophy in his honor.
All-Time Winners

Henry Brabham Cup	2009	Florida Everblades
Beginning with the inaugural season in 1988-89, the Henry Brabham Cup is awarded annually to the regular-season point champion of the ECHL. History: Named in recognition of Henry Brabham, a founding member of the ECHL, who was the first owner of the Erie Panthers. A former mayor and businessman who was a major force in professional hockey in Virginia for more than 15 years, Brabham worked tirelessly to establish the ECHL during its early years. The ECHL is proud to recognize his hard work and dedication by naming its regular-season champion award in his honor. The Florida Everblades finished first in the regular season with 103 points (49-17-5) to win their second Brabham Cup trophy. The Everblades are the fifth team to win the Brabham Cup twice joining Knoxville (1990-91 and 1993-94), Louisiana (1997-98 and 2001-02), Toledo (1991-92 and 2002-03), and Wheeling (1992-93 and 1994-95). The Everblades won the Brabham Cup in 1999-2000 and set ECHL records with 53 wins and 108 points. The 53 wins are now tied for the third most in league history while the 108 points are tied for sixth. Twenty-six teams have finished with 100 points in a season.
All-Time Winners

E.A. “Bud” Gingher Memorial Trophy	2009	South Carolina Stingrays
The club that advances to the Kelly Cup Finals as the winner of the American Conference Championship is presented with the E.A. "Bud" Gingher Memorial Trophy. History: Named in recognition of E.A. "Bud" Gingher, who was Chairman of the ECHL Board of Governors from 1992-95. Gingher, who passed away in 2002, co-founded the Dayton Bombers in 1991 and owned the team for seven seasons, serving as President and Governor until selling the team in 1998. Beginning in 1997-98, the trophy was awarded to the playoff champion of the Northern Conference in the ECHL. The first recipient of the trophy following its renaming was the Dayton Bombers in 2001-02. With the restructuring of the league divisional alignment beginning in 2004-05, the trophy has been designated for the playoff champion of the American Conference.
All-Time Winners

Bruce Taylor Trophy	2009	Alaska Aces
The club that advances to the Kelly Cup Finals as the winner of the National Conference Championship is presented with the Bruce Taylor Trophy. The first recipient of the trophy following its renaming was the playoff champion of the Western Conference in 2003-04. History: The trophy is named in recognition of Bruce Taylor, who was the founding father of the West Coast Hockey League. In the early 1990s, Taylor purchased teams in Fresno, Reno and Bakersfield and in 1995 joined them with teams in Anchorage, Fairbanks and San Diego to form the West Coast Hockey League. The Taylor Cup was presented to the playoff champion in the WCHL from the league’s inaugural season in 1995-96 until the league ceased operations following the 2002-03 season. Taylor’s ownership in hockey began in 1983 with the purchase of the Burnaby Bluehawks of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and continued with the purchase of the Richmond Sockeyes in the BCJHL and the New Westminster Royals in the BCJHL.
All-Time Winners

Jack Riley Cup	1996	Charlotte Checkers
Retired in 1996 History: Named in recognition of Jack Riley, the Jack Riley Cup was awarded to the playoff champion of the ECHL from the league’s inaugural season in 1988-89 until 1995-96 when it was retired and replaced with the Patrick J. Kelly Cup. Beginning in 1938, Jack Riley did it all in professional hockey as a player, coach, general manager and scout. One of the most respected names in hockey, Riley was President of the American Hockey League from 1964-67 and was then a scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League until being named Commissioner of the Southern Hockey League in 1975.
All-Time Winners

John Brophy Award	2009	Rick Kowalsky Trenton Devils
An annual award “to the ECHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. History: The Coach of the Year award was named in honor of legendary ECHL coach John Brophy prior to 2003-04. Brophy coached more seasons than any other coach in league history with Hampton Roads from 1989-2000 and Wheeling from 2001-03, compiling a career record of 480-323-79 in the regular season and 55-39 in the postseason. Hampton Roads reached the postseason in each of his 11 seasons behind the bench, winning back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992 and an ECHL record third title in 1998. His three ECHL titles are the most in league history and he is also the all-time leader among ECHL coaches in regular season games (878) and regular season wins (480) and postseason games (94) and wins (55). Brophy has 1,027 professional wins and ranks second all-time in professional hockey behind only the legendary Scotty Bowman (1,244 wins). Rick Kowalsky of the Trenton Devils is the 2008-09 recipient of the John Brophy Award. Karl Taylor of the Ontario Reign finished second in the voting followed by Jared Bednar of the South Carolina Stingrays, Keith McCambridge of the Alaska Aces and Derek Laxdal of the Idaho Steelheads. In his third season behind the Devils bench, Kowalsky is 105-92-19 in the regular season and 2-3 in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The 37 year old returned to the capital city in 2006-07 after spending one season with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League as an assistant coach for former Trenton head coach and current Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland. The Admirals finished 43-29-4-4 and set a team record with 94 points while tying the team record for wins. Kowalsky was named to the ECHL All-Star Game in 1995 and again in 2003 when he was captain for the North team. Selected in the 10th round (227th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1992 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Kowalsky played in 779 games in the regular season and postseason recording 711 points (293g-418a) and 1,374 penalty minutes with Cornwall, Norfolk and Portland of the AHL and Hampton Roads, Roanoke and Trenton of the ECHL from 1993-2005. He helped lead Sault Ste. Marie to back-to-back Ontario Hockey League Championships in 1991 and 1992 before captaining the Greyhounds to the Memorial Cup championship in 1993.
All-Time Winners

CCM U+ Most Valuable Player	2009	Kevin Baker Florida Everblades
An annual award “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. Kevin Baker of the Florida Everblades has been named the CCM U+ ECHL Most Valuable Player for 2008-09. Alaska Aces rookie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, who was named Reebok ECHL Goaltender of the Year, finished second in the voting while Trenton Devils goaltender Gerald Coleman was third and Wheeling Nailers forward Bryan Ewing, who was selected as the CCM ECHL Rookie of the Year, was fourth. Wes Goldie of the Victoria Salmon Kings and Travis Morin of the South Carolina Stingrays tied for fifth. Baker, who was named First Team All-ECHL, won the ECHL scoring title with 102 points and 57 goals while tying the league record with 27 power-play goals. He is the first player since 2000-01 to score 50 goals and his 57 goals rank 11th in league history.
All-Time Winners

Kelly Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player	2009	James Reimer South Carolina Stingrays
An annual award “to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs” as selected by members of the media at the conclusion of the final game of the Kelly Cup Finals. South Carolina rookie goaltender James Reimer, who made 26 saves in Game 7, was named the Most Valuable Player after going 3-1 with a shutout, a goals-against average of 1.64 and a save percentage of .942 in the Finals.
All-Time Winners

Reebok Goaltender of the Year	2009	Jean-Philippe Lamoureux Alaska Aces
An annual award “to the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. Alaska Aces rookie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux is the Reebok ECHL Goaltender of the Year for 2008-09. He is the second rookie in a row and the eighth overall to be selected since the award began in 1993-94. Gerald Coleman of the Trenton Devils finished second in the voting while Florida Everblades rookie David Leggio and Jeff Jakaitis of the Charlotte Checkers tied for third and Ontario Reign rookie Jeff Zatkoff finished fifth. Lamoureux finished second in voting for CCM ECHL Rookie of the Year and was named First Team All-ECHL and to the ECHL All-Rookie Team. He set an ECHL record with eight shutouts and led the league with 33 wins. The 24 year old, who was 33-16-2, tied for the league lead with a save percentage of .923 while his goals-against average of 2.29 and 3,071 minutes tied for second. He was voted as the starting goaltender for the National Conference for the ECHL All-Star Game and stopped nine of 10 shots in the first period.
All-Time Winners

CCM Rookie of the Year	2009	Bryan Ewing Wheeling Nailers
John A. Daley Memorial Trophy An annual award “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the ECHL as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. The winner receives the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy. History: The rookie of the year award was named in honor of John A. Daley in 1997. Daley, who passed away in 1996, was one of the founding fathers of the ECHL, serving as general manager and minority owner of the Johnstown Chiefs from the inception of the team in 1988 until 1994. Wheeling Nailers forward Bryan Ewing is the Rookie of the Year winner for 2008-09. Jean-Philippe Lamoureux of the Alaska Aces finished second in the voting while Ryan Huddy of the Stockton Thunder and Jordan Morrison of the Wheeling Nailers tied for third and Matt Pope of the Bakersfield Condors finished fifth. Ewing, who was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team and First Team All-ECHL, led league rookies with 43 goals, six shorthand goals, 91 points, 19 power-play assists and 32 power-play points while his 48 assists and six shorthand points tied him for the rookie lead and his 13 power-play goals tie him for second among rookies. His six shorthand goals tied for the overall league lead while his 91 points ranked second overall and his 43 goals were third. Ewing tied for third with six shorthand points while his 48 assists and 13 power-play goals tied for fifth.
All-Time Winners

Defenseman of the Year	2009	Dylan Yeo Victoria Salmon Kings
An annual award “to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest ability at the position” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. Dylan Yeo of the Victoria Salmon Kings is the ECHL Defenseman of the Year for 2008-09. Ryan Gunderson of the Trenton Devils finished second in the voting followed by Matt Shasby of the Alaska Aces and Peter Metcalf of the Florida Everblades. Yeo, who was named First Team All-ECHL, was fifth among ECHL defensemen with 20 power-play assists and 25 power-play points while ranking sixth with 33 assists and sixth with 43 points. He is under contract to Manitoba of the AHL and has five points (1g-4a) in 14 games for the Moose. He was voted to be a starter in the ECHL All-Star Game.
All-Time Winners

Leading Scorer	2009	Kevin Baker Florida Everblades
An annual award presented “to the player who leads the league in scoring at the end of the regular season”. Kevin Baker of the Florida Everblades has won the ECHL scoring championship for 2008-09 with 102 points. Wheeling rookie Bryan Ewing was second with 91 points (43g-48a) followed by Travis Morin of South Carolina with 88 points (26g-62a), Idaho’s Bryan McGregor with 83 points (38g-45a) and Dave Bonk of Bakersfield with 82 points (31g-51a). Baker, who is the 63rd player in ECHL history to reach 100 points, led the league with 57 goals and tied the ECHL record with 27 power-play goals. Named First Team All-ECHL, he is the first player since 2000-01 to score 50 goals and his 57 goals rank 11th in league history. Baker, who is under contract to Rochester of the American Hockey League, also led the league with 10 game-winning goals and 48 power-play points.
All-Time Winners

Reebok Plus Performer Award	2009	Travis Morin South Carolina Stingrays
An annual award presented “to the player who leads the league in plus-minus rating at the end of the regular season”. Travis Morin of the South Carolina Stingrays is the recipient of the Reebok Plus Performer of the Year award after finishing with a plus-minus rating of +37 in 71 games. Nate Kiser of South Carolina finished second with a plus-minus rating of +28 followed by Cincinnati rookie Frederic St. Denis with a plus-minus rating of +27, Utah rookie Rob Hennigar with a plus-minus rating of +24 and South Carolina rookie Maxime Lacroix with a plus-minus rating of +23. Morin was named First Team All-ECHL and the recipient of the ECHL Sportsmanship Award. He was even or better in 56 games including three games where he tied his career best of +4. Morin led the league with a team record 62 assists while ranking third with 88 points. He is the ECHL leader with five shorthand assists and 10 shorthand points while ranking third with 29 power-play assists and five shorthand goals and fourth with 35 power-play points.
All-Time Winners

Sportsmanship Award	2009	Travis Morin South Carolina Stingrays
An annual award “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability” as voted by the coaches of each of the ECHL teams. South Carolina Stingrays forward Travis Morin of the South Carolina Stingrays is the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award for 2008-09. Petr Pohl of the Johnstown Chiefs was the runner-up followed by rookie Ryan Huddy of the Stockton Thunder and Eric Castonguay of the Trenton Devils.
All-Time Winners

Executive of the Year	2009	Gordon Kaye Reading Royals
The Executive of the Year is determined in a vote of the ECHL Board of Governors.
All-Time Winners

Excellence In Media Relations	2009	Mike Benton Stockton Thunder
The Award of Excellence for media relations is determined in a vote of league media members, media relations directors and broadcasters.
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Excellence In Broadcasting	2009	Josh Heller South Carolina Stingrays
The Award of Excellence for Broadcasting is determined in a vote of league broadcasters and media relations directors.
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Excellence In Marketing	2009	Alaska Aces
The Excellence In Marketing Award is presented annually to the team marketing department "adjudged to be the best in the league” as determined by outside expert judges.
All-Time Winners

Outstanding Media	2009	Mike Griffith Bakersfield Californian
The Outstanding Media Award is determined in a vote of the ECHL media members, broadcasters, and media relations directors
All-Time Winners

Award of Excellence	2009	Stockton Thunder
The Award of Excellence will be presented by the league office to teams that are first-rate, who excel in all categories of sales and marketing, and who distinguish themselves in their community, both on and off the ice.
All-Time Winners

Ticket Department of the Year	2009	Cincinnati Cyclones
The ECHL Ticket Department of the Year is determined in a vote of ECHL teams.
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Ticket Executive of the Year	2009	Tara Sipma Gwinnett Gladiators
The Ticket Executive of the Year is determined in a vote of the ECHL general managers.
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Web Site Excellence	2009	Alaska Aces
The web site Award of Excellence is presented annually to the team whose web site is "adjudged to be the best in the league” as determined by outside expert judges.
All-Time Winners

Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award	2009	Michel Voyer
The Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award honors an On-Ice Official for his contributions and dedication to the league officiating staff and is determined in voting of ECHL On-Ice Officials. It is named in honor of ECHL linesman Ryan Birmingham, who tragically lost his life in an automobile accident in May 2007. The 2008-09 recipient of the Ryan Birmingham Memorial Award is linesman Michel Voyer.
All-Time Winners

Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year	2009	Patrick Noecker Reading Royals
The Reebok Equipment Manager of the Year Award is determined in a vote of ECHL equipment managers.
All-Time Winners

Sports Health Athletic Trainer of the Year	2009	Bryan Rogers Dayton Bombers
The Sports Health Athletic Trainer of the Year Award is determined in a vote of ECHL athletic trainers.
All-Time Winners

Locker Room Attendant of the Year	2009	Mike Companic Trenton Devils

All-Time Winners

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