Hockey Whooha

With

Wingnut

Of

Pepee's Pornn Palace

Trophy Time

With Christmas behind us, and everyone enjoying their gifts, I thought this would be a fine time to about some of the awards given to hockey players for outstanding play.

Last week we talked about the ultimate hockey prize the Stanley Cup, which is a team prize, but as in any business or sport there are the individual awards.

The Conn Smythe Trophy - awarded to the most valuable player during the playoffs and the march to the Stanley cup. This award is decided by the writers of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This award usually goes to a member of the Stanley Cup champion team, but has been awarded four times to a member of the loosing team. Maple Leaf Gardens Limited presented the Smythe Trophy in 1964 to honor Conn Smythe, the former coach, manager, president and owner-governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Vezina Trophy - was presented to the NHL in 1926-27 in memory of George Vezina an outstanding goalie with the Montreal Canadians, who collapsed during a game November 25th 1925, and died a few months later of tuberculosis. The trophy is awarded to the goalie that is judged to be the best at his position, and is voted on by the General Managers of all the NHL teams. This method was implemented in 1981-82, prior to that the goalie(s) of the team that allowed the fewest goals during the regular season were awarded the trophy.

The Jack Adams Award - presented to the NHL coach judged to have contributed the most to his team's success, as voted by the NHL Broadcaster's Association at the end of the regular season. The award was presented to the NHL in 1974 to commemorate the late Jack Adams, former coach and GM of the Detroit Red Wings. Jacks lifetime dedication to the game has served as in inspiration to all who aspire to further the game.

The James Norris Memorial Trophy - awarded to the defensemen who demonstrates the greatest all-around ability in the position throughout the regular season. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association members. The children of the late James Norris in memory of the former owner-president Detroit Red Wings presented the award to the league in 1953.

Hart Memorial Trophy - awarded to the play judged to be the most valuable to his team. The members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association are polled to determine the winner of the trophy. Dr. David Hart donated the original hart trophy in 1923 in memory of his father Cecil Hart, the former manager-coach of the Montreal Canadians. The original trophy was retired to the hall of fame in 1960 and replaced with the current trophy by the NHL.

Calder Memorial Trophy - the annual award presented to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the NHL. They are selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Frank Calder, the NHL president bought a trophy each year from 1936 until his death in 1943 to be given to the outstanding rookie player. The NHL presented the trophy in his memory, following his death.

Art Ross Trophy - awarded to the player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season. The award was presented to the league in 1947 by Arthur Howie Ross the former manager-couch of the Boston Bruins. In the event of a tie the most goals, fewer games played, and the player scoring the first goal of the season determine the winner.

There are many other worthy awards to mention, and we will cover then in a future edition of the Whooha.

Wingnut