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Gwinnett's Awe Named Defenseman Of The Year

April 8, 2007

PRINCETON, N.J. – The ECHL on Sunday announced that Jon Awe of the Gwinnett Gladiators is the recipient of the Defenseman of the Year award for 2006-07 as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches.

The ECHL Defenseman of the Year award is presented annually to the defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.

Peter Metcalf of Alaska finished second followed by Shawn Blanchard of Augusta and Matt Shasby of Alaska.

Awe led ECHL defensemen with 24 goals and 18 power-play goals and was second with 56 points and tied for second with three game-winning goals in 60 games. The 18 power-play goals breaks the ECHL record of 16 power-play goals set by Joe Cook of Columbus in 1993-94 and tied by four-time ECHL Defenseman of the Year and seven-time ECHL All-Star Chris Valicevic in 1995-96.

The 26-year-old Awe became only the fourth defenseman since 2000-01 to score 20 goals. He was voted to be a starter in the ECHL All-Star Game and set the record for hardest shot in the skills competition with 102.2 mph, easily breaking the mark of 99.3 mph set in 1999 by Jaroslav Obsut.

Under AHL contract to Chicago, the 6-foot-4 and 220-pound Awe has also played in the AHL this season where he has four points (1g-3a) in five games with Chicago while also playing two games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team in 2005-06 and has 91 points (38g-53a) in 109 regular season games and nine points (5g-4a) in 17 games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the Gladiators.

The ECHL will announce the winner of the Coach of the Year award on Monday.

ECHL Defenseman of the Year Award Winners
2006-07 Jon Awe, Gwinnett Gladiators
2005-06 Ryan Gaucher, Alaska Aces
2004-05 Ray DiLauro, Wheeling Nailers
2003-04 Corey Neilson, Pensacola Ice Pilots
2002-03 Jim Baxter, Mississippi Sea Wolves
2001-02 Duncan Dalmao, Roanoke Express
2000-01 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1999-00 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1998-99 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1997-98 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1996-97 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1995-96 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1994-95 Brandon Smith, Dayton Bombers
1993-94 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1992-93 Derek Booth, Toledo Storm
1991-92 Scott White, Greensboro Monarchs
1990-91 Brett MacDonald, Nashville Knights
1989-90 Bill Whitfield, Virginia Lancers
1988-89 Kelly Szauter, Erie Panthers

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