Hockey Fanatic Awards 2016

The Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic invented it's own Awards system on the hopes that it could be seen as an alternative to the NHL Awards since they always seem to get things wrong. The NHL Awards Show were on tonight with comedian Will Arnett as the host this time around. It was certainly yet another safe choice for the NHL productions as they tried to stay far away from negative social media critics and bloggers.

Note: Despite the NHL not regarding playoff performances in their awards, the COHF blog does.

Most Valuable Rookie: Connor McDavid

You have to give it to the kid even after he busts up his shoulder. He lost close to half the season and still finished in the top of the rookie class in scoring. Great for him and great for the future of the Edmonton Oilers franchise.

Most Valuable Player: Alex Ovechkin

While a certain winger for the BlackHawks was DQ'd for this honor, I instead chose the one guy who hauled his team through the regular season to earn them another President Trophy honor. 

Most Valuable Coach: Mike Sullivan

Who else but Coach Sullivan who came in at a critical time to the Penguins franchise and sold to them a new focus and plan to turn around a mess of a season.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Erik Karlsson

He's the captain of a Senators team that doesn't have much to work with in a situation that's got them on the bubble of being a playoff team or a lottery drafting team. Karlsson is your prototypical blueliner that out-scores the rest of the field.


Most Valuable Goalie: Martin Jones

To come out of backup obscurity to lead his team into the Cup finals should make everyone take notice of him now.

It almost went to Carey Price for the sheer notion that his team sunk faster than the Titanic once he was injured for the year. Just goes to show you how much he was missed and needed.

Most Valuable NHL Slovak player: Tomas Tatar

He was the leading "point-getter" and goal scorer in the NHL last season leading his team to yet another consecutive playoff appearance. His teammate Jurco was 8th out of 10.

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem/Trio :  Haglund, Bonino Kessel

Okay, I'm making an excuse to go with the extra player in the "tandem" category because much like my hockey area have been all caught up in the HBK line. It produced more fan interest and made fans out of the most unlikeliest of sources. Pittsburghers and media groups were quick to make a celebrity out of the Punjabi broadcaster with the "Bonino" goal calls. So, the cultural impact and the growth of the game is credited to these three people.

Most Valuable General Manager: Jim Rutherford

Even though the Pens were having a rough first part of the year, Mr. Rutherford was able to make a few more tweaks and hire a coach to turn things around in a really dramatic fashion. 

Most Valuable Ice Girls: Philadelphia Flyers

Not only are all Ice Girls valuable and provide an honorable service to both the fan base and the team as ambassadors of the sport, but the Flyers group really stand up proud.

Most Valuable Fanbase: St. Louis Blues

I think a team that had the cleverest gimmick all year was appealing to the Canadian fan base trying to get their support throughout the playoffs. Maybe it worked, there are no records or polls of how many fans they gained. But I think a fan base that was willing to work that hard to grow their numbers to cities further away from the "gateway to the west".

Hockey Fanatic Awards 2015

The Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic invented it's own Awards system on the hopes that it could be seen as an alternative to the NHL Awards since they always seem to get things wrong. The NHL Awards Show were on tonight with comedian Bob Riggle as the host. Critics of the show through social media suggested that it wasn't a carefully thought out show as the bigger news actually happened before the show began. So, without hacky Vegas stand-up jokes, here are who COHF wants honored this year.

Note: Despite the NHL not regarding playoff performances in their awards, the COHF blog does.

Most Valuable Rookie: Johnny Gaudreau

He was the most stand-out Rookie this year and even got the nickname "Johnny Hockey". His meteoric rise to the top of his class and seemingly a fixture into the hockey highlights on just about ANY network should have earned himself an award for becoming what the Flames needed to turn around the franchise for the future.

Most Valuable Player: Jonathan Towes

With another Stanley Cup held over his head, he was truly a force the entire year as the BlackHawks Captain. He didn't get within the top three in scoring, but his team consistently won all the way though the whole season. I think the choice is obvious here.

Most Valuable Coach: Jon Cooper

He "shocked" the world (no pun intended) with bringing the Cinderella team Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup finals. With a few unforeseen injuries, the Lightning are a young team trying to build around Stamkos.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Erik Karlsson

Despite some up and down inconsistent play as a team this year, the Ottawa Senators captain had the most points and was second in goals this season. As long as he continues to put up the scoring stats, he could have another long career as a blueliner in Canada's capital.


Most Valuable Goalie: Carey Price

This is the one instance that the NHL and COHF agree that Price was the best choice for this award. He not only dominated on the stats column, but he also scored very well in the CORSI type new age statistics. You can also look up a lot of highlights from him this year as he's made plenty of key saves that people still talk about even after the season is over.

Most Valuable NHL Slovak player: Tomas Tatar

This Slovak had the most goals in the NHL season most often paired with fellow Slovak Tomas Jurco.

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem: Kyle Okposo and Jon Tavares

These two NY Islanders were really in the grove all season long and got themselves back into the playoffs. They were a dangerous tandem to start the year, but I would have to project the stats due to Okposo getting injured.

Most Valuable General Manager: David Poile

The Nashville Predators have turned a corner and in their history went for a more balanced attack. Poile is re-designing the team away from what they've always known to be. He hired their franchise's second head coach and acquired a lot of talent through the draft an found some way to keep Weber as captain of the team.

Most Valuable Ice Girls: Colorado Avalanche Ice Girls

Mainly because they look like they worked very hard this year scraping the ice and still looking good doing it. Since the NHL no longer allowed for the Zamboni in OT, every crew hand was more valuable.

Most Valuable Fanbase: Chicago BlackHawks

This wasn't easy to pick. There were several other teams that could have been mentioned here. However, witnessing the pandemonium and the amount of fervor that is surrounding the team all through the season as well as the championship parade, the Hawks are back to being a real force driving interests to one of the biggest hockey markets in the US.

Can-Am Award (presented in recognition to a blogger or fan who have contributed positively to Canadian and American fan relations): TBA.

Hockey Fanatic Awards 2012

The NHL Awards are tonight and based on previous years results they will most likely get things wrong AGAIN!. Here are my alternative picks to those honors and showing you my selections for the individual and team performance Awards this year. I also took into consideration the entire hockey season from October until June.


Most Valuable Rookie: Adam Henrique of the New Jersey Devils.Of all the rookies worth mentioning this year, Henrique took the Devils through the Stanley Cup playoffs to the eventual Eastern Conference represenatives in the final.

Most Valuable Player: Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins

He came through clutch during the season and provided his big shoulders to cary his high profile team through the season.

Most Valuable Coach: Ken Hitchcock. of the St. Louis Blues.

Was there any doubt that Ken was the best coach to turn a Blues team from potentially being a disasterous season to top of the Western Conference in less than a year.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators

For the second year in a row, he wins an award not only for being talked about as the next premier blueliner, but for standing out on a Predators team that is on the brink of becoming a premier western conference franchise.

Most Valuable Goalie: Johnathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings

He did his best to maintain a playoff pace for the Kings who seemed to cool off at the end of the regular season, to once again regain en fuego momentum and win the Stanley Cup.

Most Valuable NHL Slovak player: Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers

Just edging out Hossa for this recognition, Gaborik got his Rangers team farther in the playoffs and played in all 82 games.

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem: Jeff Carter and Mike Richards of the Los Angeles Kings

Originally separated at the begining of the season, they both got to re-unite in the city of Angels and stick it to the Flyers who traded them in the previous off-season by winning the Stanley Cup.

Comeback Player of the Year: Matt Cooke

Ostrasized and made to be the poster boy for all things wrong with agressive hockey play, Matt turned things around and did his best to stay out of the penalty box and redeem his villain reputation.

Most Valuable General Manager: David Poile of the Nashville Predators and Dale Tallon of the Florida Panthers

With a smart gutsy move to bring Radulov over from the KHL to fufill the player's obligation and making a few more shrewd moves at the deadline makes Poile a smart guy.

Tallon took his magic from Chicago to Florida who made the playoffs in his second year at the helm. He acquired many new players to rebuild the deflated franchise.

Most Valuable Ice Girls: Nashville Predators Ice Girls

All I needed to do was view this picture and declare them the winners.

Most Valuable Fanbase: Pittsburgh Penguins franshise.

Even though I'm biased here counting myself in the category, I've been so impressed by how much the Penguins fans voracious support of the team has gotten over the last few years. They've gotten two former NHL players to admit the strength and influence online.

Can-Am Award presented in recognition to bloggers or fans who have contributed positively to Canadian and American fan relations: (watch for youtube video posted later today)

COHF Presents: "Can-Am Award" 2011

Hockey Fanatic Awards 2011

The NHL Awards are tonight and based on previous years results they will most likely get things wrong AGAIN!. Here are my alternative picks to those honors and showing you my selections for the individual and team performance Awards this year. I also took into consideration the entire hockey season from October until June.


Most Valuable Rookie: Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks

Because Skinner and Grabner could also have been very good choices, Couture's efforts were able to carry over his team into the post-season.


Most Valuable Player: Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins

If it wasn't for him, the Bruins might not have won the Cup this year.

Most Valuable Coach: Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins

His efforts to keep the team together despite the tragedy of losing the two best hockey players in the world for half the season.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators

He's the tough guy on the blueline for a team that needs something to hang their 10-gallon (37.85 liters) collective hats on.

Most Valuable Goalie: Tim Thomas

His unquestionable unorthodox style made him stand out this year and helped his team survive 3 Game 7's in the playoffs.


Most Valuable NHL Slovak player: Zedeno Chara of the Boston Bruins

This 2x award honoree is now the first and only Slovak-born captain to receive the Stanley Cup.

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem: Marty St. Louis and Steve Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Unlike the Sedins who ultimately disappeared when needed most, Marty and Steve consistently performed through the playoffs until the the team ran out of gas.

Comeback Player of the Year: Pavel Datsyuk

To have missed a vast majority of the season due to injury, Pavel got into stride leaving over a point per game playoff pace at 1.36 PPG.

Most Valuable General Manager: Peter Chiarelli of the Boston Bruins

He was able to finally put together a balanced Boston Bruins team at every position at the trading deadline and was rewarded with the league championship.

Most Valuable Ice Girls: Anaheim Ducks Ice Girls

Given the understanding that So-Cal provides the deepest talent pool for teams like this, the Ice Girls in Anaheim this year were the best.

Most Valuable Fanbase: Montreal Canadians fans

Simply because they inundated the police urging that assault charges be made after the hit on Max Pacioretty. That's a true dedicated and fanatical response, something all sports franchises wish they had with their respective fanbases.

Can-Am Award presented in recognition to bloggers or fans who have contributed positively to Canadian and American fan relations: Clayton "Chansler" Hansler and Steve "Dangle".

Hockey Fanatic Awards 2010

The NHL Awards are tonight and based on previous years results they will most likely get things wrong AGAIN!. Here are my alternative to those honors and showing you my selections for the individual and team performance Awards this year. I also took into consideration the entire hockey season from October until June - which included Olympic tournament play.

I had to discontinue some awards because some authors have dropped their blogs and no longer publish any content.


Most Valuable Rookie: Matt Duchene

He is leading the way for the newest generation of Avalanche players. He could turn out to be the next franchise captain like Sakic did for so long.


Most Valuable Player: Sidney Crosby

He's proven again that he is a winner. He's proven that he makes his team better no matter what jersey he is in. Team Canada or Pittsburgh.

Most Valuable Coach: Dave Tippett

Coach Tippett was dismissed from the Dallas Stars prematurely and moved on to the Phoenix Coyotes organization and took them to the playoffs in one year despite their off-the-ice financial drama.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Drew Doughty

This defenseman was crucial to the improved competitiveness of a Los Angeles Kings who are starved for a competitive team. The point totals this season was also great.


Most Valuable Goalie: Ryan Miller

No doubt he was successful with a great team in front of him, Miller gained the respect of a lot of fans and demonstrated the level of success for the next generation of USA hockey prospects.

Most Valuable NHL Slovak player: Jaroslav Halak

His epic run in the playoffs became the media darling of the NHL post-season

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem: Jon Toews and Pat "20 Cent" Kane

They got the job done in the end and got to lift the cup over their heads.


Most Valuable General Manager: Greg Sherman

He was instrumental in turning around the Avalanche who were expected to finish near the very bottom of the league and wound up giving a pretty big scare to the Sharks in the playoffs.

Most Valuable Ice Girls: Columbus Blue Jackets - Pepsi Power Patrol

They just eked out an edge over some just as good competition from some of the other teams who employ young women to eagerly promote the franchise in an ambassador of goodwill sort of way.

Most Valuable Fanbase: Chicago BlackHawks Fans

They could have gone sour on the team when they headed for some rough times under the Wirtz era, but hung in and saw the team grow into a Stanley Cup winner.

Can-Am Award (presented in recognition to a blogger or fan who have contributed positively to Canadian and American fan relations): Adrian and Chris Nadeau of The Hockey Zen.com

Hockey Fanatic Awards 2009

The NHL Awards are tonight and based on previous years results they will most likely get things wrong AGAIN!. Here are my alternative to those honors and showing you my selections for the individual and team performance Awards this year. I even include some new categories.



Most Valuable Rookie: Steve Mason

Even with the controversy that a goaltender can be rookie of the year and have a goalie of the year award, you just can't ignore the way Mason gave attention to the Blue Jackets.

Most Valuable Player: Evgeni Malkin

Two years in a row, Malkin quietly played even better than last year and did it in front of two proud parents.

Most Valuable Coach: Dan Blysma

Taking a slumping team to the Cup finals is something of a wondrous feat. Surely, maybe 20 years later we will see him portrayed in the movies based on a story like his.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Zedeno Chara
He has single handily re-defined the defenseman position with his size and brutal playing style. Most defenseman now come 6ft 9in. tall at minimum. Chara has truly left his mark on the NHL history.


Most Valuable Goalie: Tim Thomas
He established himself as the #1 goaltender for a team that is returning to prominence in the Eastern Conference.

Most Valuable NHL Slovak player (AKA the Golbez Trophy): Miroslav Satan.

Although he got demoted to the AHL during the season, he was able to put his mark on the playoffs and finally get his name on the Stanley Cup. Which is more than what I could say for last year's award winner.

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem: The Sedin Twins.

These two are working hard for a big pay day this season for Free Agency. But the catch is that they have to be signed together.

Most Valuable General Manager: Larry Pleau

He is quietly putting together a great young team in St. Louis to return them to a real competitive team. Congratulations to them for making the playoffs this year.

Most Valuable Ice Girls: Tampa Bay Lightning Ice Girls

These great group of girls, the Tampa Bay Lightning Ice Girls, are smoking HOT. Just think of the "talent pool" that the team has to select from the Florida community.

Most Valuable Fanbase: Vancouver Canucks

These fans were hoping against hope that they were going to be the dark horse in the western conference to make the Stanley Cup finals, some called them delusional, but I would call them great fans for their team.

The Cabana Award (aka: "the spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool" award): Marian Hossa

This just doesn't want to be cool. Cool like Carlito. First he snubs the Penguins claiming that Detroit was the best to win the Cup, but then failed to do so with the Wings against his former team. Certainly Hossa portrayed himself this season as someone you would most likely want to spit an apple into their face.

Crosby wins ESPY

Most people know that I am not a fan of the 4-letter network, so, I did not bother watching their awards gala that was held over this weekend.

Sidney Crosby, who shared the NHL scoring lead in the playoffs and led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup finals before his 21st birthday, was named the winner of the ESPY award as the Best NHL Player.

Winners are selected in a nationwide vote of fans, conducted by ESPN. It was the second straight year that Crosby won the NHL award.

Crosby, 20, was tied for the NHL scoring lead with 63 points and challenging for his second straight league scoring title when he suffered a high ankle sprain Jan. 18 against Tampa Bay.

He missed 29 games and finished the regular season with 24 goals and 48 assists for 72 points in 53 games.

Sid Crosby apparently took the award for best NHL player despite missing so many games due to injury. I guess it is also credit to the immense popularity of the player despite missing all time on the ice. That is quite impressive to get the award considering all of the other worthy candidates.

[Via: Pittsburgh Penguins Official Site]

Hockey Fanatic Awards 2008

The NHL Awards are tonight and based on previous years results they will most likely get things wrong AGAIN!. Here are my alternative to those honors and showing you my selections for the individual and team performance Awards this year. I even include some new categories.



Most Valuable Rookie: Patrick Kane

ITS KANE!! ITS KANE!! Hockey's version of the "big red machine" did a great job with a D+ Chicago squad. Perhaps they are going to have a bright future with all their young stars soon.

Most Valuable Player: Evgeni Malkin

He really stepped it up when the time was needed. He showed that he can be just as dominant without Sid and for a time, held onto the leagues' point lead.

Most Valuable Coach: Mike Babcock

He got a bunch of old farts and a bunch of Euros to stick to a back checking system that pretty much stifled everything that the fans want - goal scoring offense. Good for him.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Bryan Rafalski

The Michigan-born defender took one the last key goals of the Cup finals and got another ring for Detroit.

Most Valuable Goalie: Evgeni Nabokov

This SJ Shaks goalie was really really good during the regular season. He gave the Cal Bay area some hope that this was going to be the Sharks year. Maybe next time.

Most Valuable NHL slovak player (AKA the Golbez Trophy): Marian Hossa.

He was the steal of the trading deadline and perhaps was the push that sent the Penguins to the Cup finals. He was also almost there as his last shot almost went in to tie up game 6.

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem: Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.

These two worked well on the top line, straight to the best record in hockey this season.

Most Valuable General Manager: Ray Shero

He put together this year's best team.... on paper.

Most Valuable Ice Girls: Dallas Stars Ice Girls

These great group of girls, the Dallas Stars Ice Girls, even have their own Myspace page to promote themselves as well as the great game.

Most Valuable Fanbase: Washington Capitals.

I was impressed with their help to rally jump in and land into the 3rd place and then come out to support the team in the playoffs.. and having everybody dress in red shirts.

The Cabana Award (aka: "the spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool" award): The Philadelphia Flyers

These f---rs just don't want to be cool. Cool like Carlito. First they lead the league in player suspensions, then they take out Ovechkin in the playoffs. They played all year as agitators or as someone you would most likely want to spit an apple into their face.

Malkin Finalist for Hart Trophy

Russian Hockey Sniper Evgeni Malkin is one of the three finalists for NHL's Hart Trophy (Season MVP). Fans, reporters and other players took notice when Malkin took over the scoring race in Crosby's absence. This news is great for Malkin to perhaps give him some added motivation while playing in MSG tonight against the Rangers in Round 2 Game 3.

Alex Ovechkin and Jerome Iginla are the other two candidates for the league's MVP. We here at COHF were considering a Swiftboating campaign against these other two in hopes that Malkin would get some much needed recognition for his season this year. No word as to how many "super delegates" have already pledged their vote to Malkin or Ovechkin.

[Via: Pittsburgh Tribune Review]

Hockey Fanatic Awards

The NHL Awards are tonight and based on last years results they will most likely get things wrong. I am proposing an alternative to those honors and showing you my selections for the individual and team performance Awards this year. I have given my reasons for those selections. Yea, I invented a few new categories. I just thought it would be fun.


Most Valuable Rookie: Jordan Staal

He scores a hat trick as the youngest player in his team's history to do so. Plus, he is a true rookie, playing in his first year of professional status.

Most Valuable Player: Sid Crosby

This guy just makes a team better. He makes the players around him better. And it is not hard to pick against the player who scored the most points.

Most Valuable Coach: Michel Therrien

He has never missed a post season during a full year behind the bench. He got an under-experienced team to win and made hockey history to rank them 3rd on the best turn around winning percentage.

Most Valuable Defenseman: Scott Niedermayer

He captained his team through the playoffs and got So Cal to Hockey's promised land. He has the leadership and experience to just make anything into a winner. He also gets the Most Valuable Playoff Beard.

Most Valuable Goalie: Roberto Luongo

Despite the other nominated competition, Luongo was back at his best like his early years in Florida. If only he can get a good team in front of him.

Most Valuable NHL slovak player (AKA the Golbez Trophy): Pavol Demitra

He helps his other countrymen feel comfortable and helps them focus on the ice.

Most Valuable Teammate Tandem: Dan Briere and Chris Drury

These high-scoring forwards were dominant all year and became a compelling storyline presented on both American and Canadian TV broadcasts. Who knows if they will stay together next year, but they were fun to watch this season.

Most Valuable General Manager: Garth Snow.

"Hey, I'll hook you up, buddy!" must have been a part of the call to DiPietro once Snow had the power. Snow, with all of his owners money, would be a great lure to Long Island by being fresh off the ice into retirement. Snow has the connections and will most likely take care of all his friends.

Most Valuable Ice Girls: The Storm Squad - Carolina Hurricanes

This was a very hard choice, but after giving it a lot of thought, I decided to go with the girls in the Triangle because Gene the Dancing Machine is the tiebreaker. Kudos to the runners up in Nashville and Atlanta (Goal Girls and Blue Crew, respectively)

Most Valuable Fanbase: Pittsburgh Penguins

They fought like hell to keep their team and they won.

A spit in the face of someone who does not want to be cool Award(a.k.a. The Cabana Trophy: Sean Avery

This f---r just does not want to be cool. Cool like Carlito. He played all year as an agitator and as someone you would most likely want to spit an apple into his face.

Most Valuable Canadian Carpetbagger: Jim Ballsille

Presented in the media as "Mr. Deep pockets" this league needs, Ballsille uses the media to hock his RIM products and attempts to uproots American sports teams showing no consideration to the already existing fan base.

Clarkson Cup Created for Women's Professional Hockey

Often viewed as one of the "Most Annoying Canadians", the outgoing Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson, had focused a portion of her good-bye (or good riddance) speech in Toronto to addressing a need for a heralded Cup trophy for women's hockey equivalent to the Stanley Cup.

She wanted to follow the footsteps of Lord Stanley of Preston, who donated the Stanley Cup while he was sitting as Governor General in 1893, but never saw it awarded during his term.

This is a really good idea in theory, but I do have a few reservations about it. First off, I don't know much about Mme. Clarkson, but this story shines with an over-inflated self-importance. Does Mme Clarkson really thinks she should name the trophy after herself?

The female professional hockey future is currently tied into two new leagues that is starting to gain ground. With this new construct of a Cup dedicated to women's hockey supremacy, it could bolster new support (in Canada at least) for a true equivalent to a female NHL.

But another thing about this story that sticks out to me is the way that Mme. Clarkson insists that this will be like the Stanley Cup. Trophies like the Stanley Cup are actually praised because of a massively long history and the "blood, sweat, and tears" that go into earning it. If a Clarkson Cup is going to mean something, it will take at least a generation or two before it gets any worthy mention in the likes of a Stanley Cup.

Clarkson said she was not bothered that there was not yet a format in place for teams to compete for her trophy.

"Lord Stanley didn't know who would play for his either," she told The Globe.

"When Lord Stanley did it there was no league, it just said excellence in hockey. So that's what it will be.

"It's my personal gift. I just want to get the Cup out there. I just hope that women who want to play the best hockey in Canada can vie for it."

But what kind of Hockey knowledge does Mme Clarkson have? Lord Stanley never saw an actual game, but he was in England most of the time. There is no real excuse for this Gov. Gen.

Clarkson consulted with many Canadian sports personalities, including Wickenheiser, Jean Béliveau and Nancy Greene Raine

Well, that is a good start!

[Via CTV.ca]