By Bryan Thiel, Senior NHL Writer for the Puck Drop
So last night was the big night—the NHL awards ceremony. The night where NHL'ers pretend to red carpet stars, the absence of Sean Avery and the Hockey Night in Canada Theme Song are poked fun at, and guys not much older than you or me get to give acceptance speeches using English skills that aren't that much better than what you hear over an airport's public address system.
To be honest, I thoroughly enjoyed the awards ceremony. Maybe it was because of the near-comatose Stompin' Tom Connors, maybe it was because of the integration of Canadian minor hockey players, or maybe it was because Trevor and I were playing Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball during the commercial breaks (and partially during the ceremony), but I thought the NHL did an excellent job with their version of the Oscars.
Sidenote: I'm convinced the Tom was having his strings pulled backstage by Gary Bettman to simulate movement, while Ashlee Simpson was in charge of organizing the lip-synching. I'm not saying he's faking it, I'm just impressed a 72 year-old guy can still do that.
I'd go further and say that Brittany Spears was his dance coach, but he moves better than her. I couldn't make a better joke about this if I tried.
Ken Griffey Jr. is a pretty sick game—completely deserving of busting out the old SNES—but I almost wish they'd make a Ken Griffey Sr. video game. Maybe 'Ken Griffey Sr. Presents The World Lawn Bowling Championships' or 'Ken Griffey Senior and the Wide World of Shuffleboard', but I would definitely buy endorsed by Junior's dad.
Anyhow, as I promised we're going to be seeing how accurately our Bleacher Report writers chose the NHL awards, as well as a little side commentary from me. Hope you enjoy!
Hart Memorial Trophy
Winner: Alexander Ovechkin
Bleacher Report's Choice: Alexander Ovechkin
BT Says: Thank God. This means I don't have to return my Alexander Ovechkin MVP T-Shirt!
In a related story, I still haven't received my copy of that book detailing the New England Patriots perfect season yet. Oh wait....at least I can laugh at my own team right?
Calder Trophy
Winner: Patrick Kane
Bleacher Report's Choice: Patrick Kane
BT Says: There's a specific reason why I never put my thoughts of why "Patrick Kane can't be a successful NHL'er this season" into an entire article—I figured if I spaced them out it would save me a whole lot of "I told you so"s if something like this ever happened.
Well, something like this did happen. Our next Bleacher Report hockey contest? Find every article where Bryan Thiel said he didn't buy into Patrick Kane! (Hint: You may have to add me to Facebook for this one—as if I'll link to my profile, that just makes it too easy)
To be honest, I kind of wish Nicklas Backstrom from Washington had won, because as Ovechkin said: "Nicklas make nice pass, I score huge goal."
James Norris Trophy
Winner: Nick Lidstrom
Bleacher Report's Choice: Nick Lidstrom
BT Says: Sure, we'll just hold off on the whole 'changing of the guard' thing, utterly shaft Dion Phaneuf, and then give it to the guy who already has five of these things, as well as the strangest combination of a North American and Swedish accent I've ever heard.
Just so you know, no one voted against Lidstrom here on BR. Tells you something now doesn't it?
Vezina Trophy
Winner: Martin Brodeur
Bleacher Report's Choice: Martin Brodeur
BT Says: When this award was handed out, instead of complaining how Marty always gets it (he's won it four times now), Trevor and I somehow started talking about how Vesa Toskala needed to be considered for the Vezina. Then we said that Mats Sundin should also get league MVP. Then I said I believe OJ Simpson is innocent.
If you have to guess which one of these is the lie, then you obviously don't know me very well.
What made this award even better was that Marty started talking about wanting to win another cup and said "Next year I hope we have a better team" or something like it. And people laughed. Apparently failure is funny everywhere but Toronto.
Jack Adams Trophy
Winner: Bruce Boudreau
Bleacher Report's Choice: Guy Carbonneau
BT Says: Any guy who takes any team from last place to a division title in the span of five months deserves this award. The other guys may be great coaches that had great teams this season, but Bruce did something truly special.
What made this even better was his acceptance speach—he was completely shocked and unnerved that he won it, that it was like asking your kid what he did at school today: Answers would come out of left field and overlap other answers.
The joy he brought to the podium last night was truly inspiring. Thank you Bruce.
Frank J. Selke Trophy
Winner: Pavel Datsyuk
Bleacher Report's Choice: Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk (tied)
BT Says: I wasn't really impressed with this award. First of all, Datsyuk looks really, really shy, and he reminds me of a character in a movie (I can't place it....help me out here please) with the look he had in his eyes last night, as well as the way he carried himself. I want to say Edward Scissorhands, but I know it's wrong.
Second of all, instead of showing relevant highlights while the were giving out this award, they showed highlights of goals each of the players scored throughout the past season. Isn't that the opposite of what this award is about?
What happened to all of Pierre McGuire's highlights of these guys blocking shots, drinking some "well deserved Gatorade because he's a MONSTER!!!!!!" and playing defensive hockey? We finally found him a practical use and he missed his opportunity!
Sidenote: Thank God the awards ceremony wasn't on TSN. Ron MacLean had some awkward jokes (even poking fun at the Leafs having a Brian Burke Bobblehead doll at their draft table this year), but overall he was enjoyable.
If this was on TSN there would have been more Pierre McGuire and more Bob McKenzie. I would have had less hair than both of them by the end of it.
Lady Byng Trophy
Winner: Pavel Datsyuk
Bleacher Report Choice: Pavel Datsyuk
BT Says: I have to agree with MJ Kasprzak this is one of the stranger awards for a contact sport, but being gentlemanly is being gentlemanly, and Pavel was just that last night, even apologizing for his speech "not being very long because my English short".
He's the man with the hardware, he can say what he wants.
There were a few other things I enjoyed last night. Along with Jason Blake winning the Masterton trophy and Ovechkin taking home the Pearson, there were two other awards that caught my eye.
Although I forget the name of it, I'll never forget who won it. Whether it was called the 'Grittiest Moment of the Year' or not, it's truly what it was. Dave Zenobi, the Florida Panthers' Head Trainer as given this award for his work on the night that Richard Zednik's life was in peril. The man truly deserved this award, as he did everything he could to preserve Zednik's life, and ensure that he saw his wife and child again. Congratulations Dave.
The last award was the NHL's 'Lifetime Achievement Award', with it's initial recipient being Mr. Hockey himself. I have to say, although I never watched him play, Gordie Howe was sad to be the epitome of class, grace, skill, grit, and determination over his career. The man devoted himself, not only to the game of hockey, but to his family as well, and always found time for both.
To say Gordie inspired the greats is selling him short—he gave them the opportunity to not only play amongst the ranks of professional hockey, but to play with him—allowing hundreds of kids to fulfill their dreams.
So thank you to Dave and Gordie, and to all the NHL award winners, and players of this past season—you truly made it memorable. For all of us here at Bleacher Report, we'll see you in September!
Up next? We finish up the Surge for Stamkos!
No comments:
Post a Comment