Loui Eriksson was named a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy on Thursday. (Photo Credit: Shannon Byrne)

The NHL announced the finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy today.  The Lady Byng Trophy is awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom and Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis are the other finalists for the award.

This is a great honor for Eriksson, who had a stellar year, setting career highs in points (73) and assists (42).

It’s also the second consecutive year the Dallas Stars have had a finalist in the running for the Lady Byng Trophy.  Last year, Brad Richards was one of the finalists.

Here is the press release issued by the Stars:

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Frisco, Tex. – The National Hockey League announced today that Stars forward Loui Eriksson has been named as a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom and Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis are the other finalists for the award.

Eriksson, 25, set a new career high in points (73) and assists (42) this season. He is the only player in the NHL this season to be ranked in the top 200 in scoring and have less than 10 penalty minutes. Eriksson was assessed four minor penalties this season for eight penalty minutes in the 79 games he played this season. The Goteborg, Sweden native ranked tied for 18th in NHL scoring this season with 73 points (25g, 46a) as he has increased his point total each year he has been in the league. Eriksson played in his first NHL All-Star Game as he scored two goals and two assists for four points, including scoring the game-winner for Team Lidstrom in the contest.

“It is always fun to be recognized for something like this, I don’t really take a lot of penalties when I am out there,” said Eriksson. “I try to play my game when I am on the ice, I am not the guy that usually sits in the penalty box and that is how I have been playing since I started.”

The 6-3, 193-pound forward scored his 100th NHL career goal December 12 vs. Montreal and posted a career high 10-game point streak from December 28 to January 17, collecting two goals and 10 assists for 12 points during the stretch, this season. In his fifth NHL season, Eriksson led the club in game-winning goals (6), power-play goals (10) and also ranked second on the club in points (73) and plus/minus (+10).

The members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 22, during the 2011 NHL Awards that will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada.

Lidstrom is a Lady Byng finalist for the first time in eight years and for the sixth time in his NHL career. He has never won the trophy, finishing second or third in the voting for five consecutive years from 1999 through 2003. Lidstrom enjoyed one of his most productive seasons, ranking second among NHL defensemen in scoring with 62 points (16 goals, 46 assists) in 82 games, highlighted by a career-best 11-game point streak. The Red Wings captain, who turns 41 on Apr. 28, assumed his usual heavy workload yet rarely saw the penalty box, receiving just 20 penalty minutes in a team-leading 1,924:25 of ice time.

St. Louis joins Lidstrom as a six-time Lady Byng Trophy finalist, all in the past seven seasons; he captured the award for the first time in 2009-10 after finishing second from 2007 through 2009 and third in 2004. The 35-year-old wing surged late in the season, tallying points in each of his last nine games and in 15 of his final 17 to finish second in League scoring with 99 points (31 goals, 68 assists). He tied a franchise record for assists in a season and posted the second-highest point total in his 12-year NHL career. St. Louis was assessed just 12 minutes in penalties, matching his career low set last year.

History of the Lady Byng
Lady Byng, wife of Canada’s Governor-General at the time, presented the Lady Byng Trophy during the 1924-25 season. After Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won the award seven times in eight seasons, he was given the trophy to keep and Lady Byng donated another trophy in 1936. After Lady Byng’s death in 1949, the National Hockey League presented a new trophy, changing the name to the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

Stephane Robidas (Photo Credit: Resolute)

The Dallas Stars announced today that defenseman Stephane Robidas is their nominee for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy.

For more on the award and on Robidas, please read the Stars press release:

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FRISCO, Tex. – The Dallas chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) announced today that defenseman Stephane Robidas is its nominee for the 2010-11 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The Masterton Trophy is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. The winner will be selected at the end of the regular season by a poll of the PHWA’s 30 chapters. Last year’s recipient was Jose Theodore of the Washington Capitals.

Robidas, 34, has appeared in 77 games for the Stars this season, registering five goals and 25 assists for 30 points. He is second on the team in time-on-ice per game (24:38), as well as blocked shots (132). Additionally, he leads all Dallas defensemen in hits (207) and power play points with one goal, 14 assists totaling 15 points.

A native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Robidas is receiving his third nomination for the Bill Masterton Trophy. He was Dallas’ 2009 nominee as well as Montreal’s selection in 2001.

NHL writers first presented the trophy in 1968 to commemorate the late Bill Masterton, who played for the Minnesota North Stars and died on January 15, 1968, as the result of head injuries suffered during a game. Masterton’s number 19 has never been worn by another Stars player and was officially retired on January 17, 1987.

Mike Modano was Dallas’ nominee for the 2009-10 season.

Photo by: Resolute. Used under Creative Commons Share-Alike license

Mark Derlago

(Boise, ID) – For the second consecutive season, Idaho Steelheads forward Mark Derlago has been honored by the ECHL by being named first-team All-ECHL.

Derlago set an Idaho single-season record for goals with 43 following his hat trick against Utah on Wednesday night, topping the record of 42 that he set last season. He also set the team’s single-game record with four tallies on one contest against the Las Vegas Wranglers on March 5.

His 43 markers is second in the ECHL behind Alaska’s Wes Goldie (44). He leads the league in power-play goals (18) and power-play points (40). His 79 total points ranks third in the ECHL.

The 25-year-old Brandon, Manitoba, native was selected for the ECHL All Star game earlier this season and was also selected as the captain of the team. He had two assists as the ECHL All-Star squad defeated the Bakersfield Condors in the exhibition contest.

Derlago was also named first-team All-ECHL last season for the Idaho Steelheads. He was second-team All-ECHL as a member of the Bakersfield Condors following the 2008-09 season.

Here’s the 2010-2011 All-ECHL First Team:

Forwards: Mark Derlago (Idaho), Wes Goldie (Alaska), Kory Karlander (Kalamazoo)
Defensemen: Eric Regan (Elmira), Wes Cunningham (Greenville)
Goaltender: Gerald Coleman (Alaska)

Idaho closes out the regular season with road games at Ontario Friday and Saturday night. Both games begin at 8 PM and can be heard on KTIK (1350-AM).

The CHL award for top rookie will be announced next Wednesday.

Here is the press release from Allen:

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ALLEN, Texas- The Allen Americans, in conjunction with the Central Hockey League (CHL) have announced that David Strathman has been named to the 2010-11 CHL All-Rookie Team.

Strathman, a native of Tempe, Ariz., has potted 13 goals alongside 27 assists in his first season as a professional.

The right-handed defenseman’s 40 points are second among all rookies in the CHL, and first among rookie defensemen. Strathman’s 149 shots are third among all rookies in the CHL. The 25-year old was also named to this year’s CHL All Star Team in January. Prior to the All-Star break, Strathman registered 11 points (3+8=11) over eight games, coupled with a +7 rating.

“David has made a very successful transition from the college game to pro hockey,” Americans Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins said. “He has been a very valuable, versatile asset to our hockey team all season long, and we are very proud of him for this accomplishment.”

The blue-liner has registered a pair of six-game point streaks this season. One in November, during which he pocketed 3 goals and 5 assists, and another in January, which saw number-19 deliver 2 goals and 7 helpers.

A graduate of Northeastern University, Strathman is also a finalist for the CHL Rookie of the Year award. The results for the award will be announced on Wednesday, March 23rd.

2010-2011 All-Rookie Team
F: Adam Chorneyko, Colorado Eagles
F: Aaron Lewicki, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
F: Gary Steffes, Tulsa Oilers
D: Alan Mazur, Bloomington PrairieThunder
D: David Strathman, Allen Americans
G: Wayne Savage, Texas Brahmas

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Here is the breakdown on each player, detailed on the CHL’s press release about the team:

Adam Chorneyko, Forward (Colorado Eagles):
Adam Chorneyko is tied for sixth among all rookies in scoring with 30 points (13-17=30). He has played the fewest games among all rookies (37 GP) on the team as he did not sign with the Eagles until early December. After scoring just four points (1-3=4) in his first 13 games with the Eagles, the St. Albert, Alberta native caught fire recording seven goals and four assists in his next eight games. Since that time, Chorneyko has been a consistent threat playing solid two-way hockey and having a plus or even rating in a majority of the games he plays.

Aaron Lewicki, Forward (Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees):
Aaron Lewicki has been a constant offensive threat for the Killer Bees since he had seven points (3-4=7) and was a +6 in the team’s first seven games of the season. The Livona, Michigan native led all players in the voting process appearing on 16 of the 18 submitted ballots and was selected as a member of the 2011 CHL All-Star Team. Lewicki currently leads all rookies in scoring with 50 points and 22 goals. The former Ferris State player has recorded five multiple-goal games and is tied for third in scoring for the Killer Bees. His four game winning goals are tied for the most among first year players and his strong play earned him a call-up to the Houston Aeros (AHL) earlier in the season.

Gary Steffes, Forward (Tulsa Oilers):
Gary Steffes has played a big part in the resurgence of the Tulsa Oilers and them making the playoffs for the first time in a handful of years. The Grand Blanc, Michigan native is third among all first year players in scoring with 37 points (15-22=37) and among the rookie leaders with four power play goals and 15 goals overall. After a four year career at the University of Miami (Ohio), Steffes jumped right into his pro career scoring two goals in his second professional game.

Alan Mazur, Defenseman (Bloomington PrairieThunder):
Alan Mazur has stepped up and become one of the top defensive players on one of the top defensive teams in the league. The first year defenseman is third among all rookie d-men in scoring with 29 points (6-23=29) and his +10 plus/minus rating is fifth among all freshmen players. After a high-scoring college career at R.I.T., the Burnaby, British Columbia native hasn’t slowed down a bit ranking as the top scoring defensemen on the PrairieThunder.

David Strathman, Defenseman (Allen Americans):
David Strathman became one of the top threats on the best team in the CHL quickly during his rookie season after he recorded a six-game point streak in mid-November. The former Northeaster University star leads all rookie defensemen in scoring with 40 points (13-27=40) and ranks second overall among all rookie players. The Tempe, Arizona native played for the CHL All-Star Team in January and shortly after went on a tear scoring 11 points (3-8=11) over an eight game stretch, he was also a +7 during that span.

Wayne Savage, Goaltender (Texas Brahmas):
Wayne Savage was recruited by the Brahmas after playing at the University of Prince Edward Island last season and during his first professional weekend stopped 83 of 88 shots (.943 save percentage) showing his talent. The St. Thomas, Ontario native is 20-14-3 on the season with a 2.84 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. The first year net minder had a torrid month of February going 9-3-0 allowing just 27 goals over that stretch.

ALLEN, Texas

This mark ensures that the Americans will enjoy home ice for as long as they should compete in the 2010-11 Ray Miron President’s Cup Playoffs.

“To win the Governors’ Cup in only our 2nd season is something to be proud of,” Americans President Matt Canavan said. “Coach Mullins, Coach McDonald and the players have worked hard to earn this accolade and home ice advantage for the postseason. It has been a special season that we are honored to share with our fans, and we look forward to traveling the road to the presidents cup,” Canavan said.

A brief celebration is planned for Friday night’s game at the Allen Event Center, in which the Americans will host the Tulsa Oilers at 7:30 PM. The ceremony will honor the team’s accomplishments to date, and give fans a chance to congratulate their team on a regular season to remember.

“We are very proud to have achieved this honor,” Head Coach and General Manager Dwight Mullins said. “Everyone from the owners, to the staff to the players has put a great deal into this organization.”

Allen will close out the weekend at home with a Saturday night clash with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. Saturday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

In addition to the best overall record in the CHL (43-15-2), the Americans have compiled a league best home record of 21-7-1, and a league best road record of 22-8-1. The Americans could tie the mark for all-time single season road wins (24) by winning their final two road contests of 2010-11.

Astonishingly, the Americans have just one losing streak on their record this season (4 games, Feb. 13-Feb.19).

TEMPE, AZ (March 15, 2011)

In his second year with the Americans, Huculak has established himself as a great role model in the North Texas community by contributing his time to local schools, charities and more. This season Huculak has, among other things, visited 14 schools, helped with on-ice practices for the Allen Police and Fire, helped with Jr. Americans on-ice practices, visited hospitals, and much more.

The CHL Man of the Year award is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community’.

The other four finalists for the 2011 CHL Man of the Year award are Adam Hogg of the Colorado Eagles, Jeff Jakaitis of the Dayton Gems, Zak McClellan of the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and Simon Watson of the Missouri Mavericks.

2011 CHL Man of the Year Finalists
Adam Hogg, Colorado
Liam Huculak, Allen
Jeff Jakaitis, Dayton
Zak McClellan, Rio Grande Valley
Simon Watson, Missouri

CHL Man of the Year (previous winners, since 2001)
2010 – Justin Quenneville (Corpus Christi)
2009 – Austin Sutter (Amarillo)
2008 – Stacey Bauman (Oklahoma City)
2007 – Riley Nelson (Colorado)
2006 – Paul Fioroni (Lubbock)
2005 – Paul Fioroni (Lubbock)
2004 – Don Parsons (Memphis)
2003 – Anthony Donskov (Lubbock)
2002 – Scott Hillman (Odessa)

Allen Americans defenseman David Strathman celebrates after a goal against the Texas Brahmas last October. On Friday, Strathman was named a finalist for CHL Rookie of the Year. (Photo Credit: John O'Neill)

The Central Hockey League announced the finalists for their end-of-the-year awards on Friday afternoon, and the Allen Americans had two players represented once again.

Forward Colton Yellow Horn has been named a finalist for Most Valuable Player, while defenseman David Strathman is in the running to take home the Rookie of the Year award.

Yellow Horn has put up very solid numbers all year long, and has been hard to ignore as he’s proved to be one of the top players in the CHL.  Yellow Horn has 74 points (27G,47A) through 57 games played this year.  He was one of the league’s top three stars last month, earning the 2nd highest accumulated “3 Stars” totals for the month in the CHL.

Strathman has been a bright start on the blue line for the Americans, and in doing so, has proven to be one of the top first-year players in the league. In 57 games, Strathman has accumulated 39 points (13G, 26A), 9 of which (3G, 6A) come on the power play.

Other nominees for league MVP are Rapid City forward Ryan Menei, Colorado forward Riley Nelson, Missouri goaltender Robby Nolan, and Odessa forward Sebastien Thinel (2009 CHL MVP).

The other first-year players up for ROY are Rio Grande Valley forward Aaron Lewicki, Bloomington defenseman Alan Mazur, Texas goaltender Wayne Savage and Tulsa forward Gary Steffes.

Balloting will take place among CHL Head Coaches, team Communications Departments and select media members in CHL markets to determine the winners.

Mark Derlago

The ECHL and Idaho Steelheads announced on Tuesday that forward Mark Derlago has been named the Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week.  It is the fifth time he has won the weekly award in his career.

Derlago, 25, had eight points (five goals, three assists) in three games last week, including a team-record four goals Saturday night against the Las Vegas Wranglers. He also had a plus-6 rating for the week.

Derlago goes into Tuesday night’s game at Bakersfield tied for second in the ECHL with 32 goals and tied for fifth in the league with 64 points. He was named captain for the ECHL team in the 2011 ECHL All Star Classic, notching two assists in the game.

On his behalf, Sher-Wood Hockey will donate a case of pucks to an Idaho youth hockey organization. Since beginning its sponsorship of the Player of the Week award in 2000, Sher-Wood Hockey has donated over 23,000 hockey pucks to local youth hockey organizations in ECHL cities.

The Allen Americans were well-represented in this year's CHL Best of the Best Poll, released Tuesday. (Photo Credit: John O'Neill)

Each year, the Central Hockey League puts out a poll to decide the “best of the best” around the league.  CHL players, coaches and operational staff from all 18 CHL teams vote on the poll and hand in a single ballot with their choices.  The poll consists of 50 categories ranging from ‘Best Overall Player’ to ‘Best Mascot’. Each team votes and provides three top choices for each category, with first place votes counting as five points, second place votes counting as three points and third place votes counting as one point.

The poll results were released on Tuesday morning, and the Allen Americans led the way among all CHL teams as they were represented in 17 different categories and finished first seven times (also the most of any team).  Allen’s Bruce Graham was voted ‘Best Power Forward’ and his teammate Kip Brennan was voted ‘Best Fighter – Heavyweight’.  Other categories that the Americans finished first in were ‘Best Team Logo’, ‘Best Team Uniforms’, ‘Best Cheerleaders/Dance Team’, Best City’ and tied for the ‘Most Attractive Place to Play’ with the Colorado Eagles.

Here are the categories that Allen was featured, along with the nominee/winner (if applicable) in order of the place they finished:

First Place:

Best Power Forward – Bruce Graham
Best Fighter (Heavyweight) – Kip Brennan
Best Team Logo
Best Team Uniforms
Best Cheerleaders/Dance Team
Best City
Most Attractive Place to Play (tied with Colorado)

Second Place:

Best on Power Play – Bruce Graham
Best Defensive Defenseman – Erik Adams
Best Bodychecker – Scott Langdon
Best Rookie – David Strathman
Best Training/Equipment Staff
Best Team Website
Best Arena Concessions

Third Place:

Best Coach – Dwight Mullins
Best Arena
Best Use of Social Media

The team did a nice job in the poll last year, but this year seems to have set the bar even higher.  Players and team staff from all around the league seem to feel that Allen, the Allen Event Center, and the Americans have a lot to offer.

To see the full poll results, click here.

Photo by John O’Neill

Allen Americans forward Colton Yellow Horn handles the puck behind the Texas Brahmas net in a game earlier this season. (Photo Credit: John O'Neill)

Allen Americans forward Colton Yellow Horn was named one of the CHL’s ‘Oakley Three Stars’ for the month of February.  Each month, the league calculates how many times a player was honored as one of the “three stars” of their games, and the top three are celebrated in this award.

For being named the first star of a game, a player is given five points.  Second star of the game earns three points and one point is given for the third star of the game.

Yellow Horn earned 22 points in February.  He was named the top star in a game three times, second star twice and the third star on one other occasion.

Here is the league’s press release:

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TEMPE, AZ (March 1, 2011) –Texas Brahmas forward Chad Woollard, Texas forward Greg Hogeboom and Allen forward Colton Yellow Horn have been named the ‘Oakley Three Stars’ for the month of February/2011.

For winning the first star honors, Woollard will receive a pair of golf shoes from Oakley. Learn more about the wide range of Oakley products at www.oakley.com. Woollard was the third star of the month in January.

Players are awarded five points for first star recognition, three points for a second star nod and a single point for being named the third star of the game. Keep up with the season-long ‘Oakley Three Stars’ point count on www.centralhockeyleague.com. Woollard currently leads the season standings with 61 points.

First Star – Chad Woollard, F, Texas Brahmas
Woollard earned 26 points in February consisting of three first star honors, three second star honors and two third star recognitions. The Brahmas sniper leads the league with 35 goals netting 13 of those in the month of February. Overall, his 70 points (35-35=70) rank in the league’s top 10 in scoring.

Second Star – Greg Hogeboom, F, Texas Brahmas
Woollards teammate led all CHL players in February with 27 points (14-13=27) earning 23 star points (two first star, three second star and four third star honors). Hogeboom ranks sixth in the CHL in total points with 73 (32-41=73).

Third Star – Colton Yellow Horn, F, Allen Americans
Yellow Horn earned 22 points in February receiving three first star nods, two second star honors and was named the third star once. During the month, the Americans forward had nine goals with seven assists leading his team in scoring.

Photo by: John O’Neill