WHL2 Awards William M. Jennings Trophy -Presented annually to the goaltender with the fewest goals against. 1995-96 Winner - Patrick Roy, Edmonton Vikings 1996-97 Winner - Felix Potvin, Chicoutimi Sparrows "The Cat" backstopped the Sparrows all season as the team let in 218 goals, just one off the record set by Roy and the Vikings in 95-96. Potvin finished the year with a 2.89 GAA in 67 starts. Art Ross Trophy -Presented annually to the player who wins the scoring championship. 1995-96 Winner - Sergei Fedorov, Hermitage Bangers 1996-97 Winner - Eric Lindros, Albany Mallrats Lindros ran away with the scoring title this past season, finishing 22 points ahead of teammate Mario Lemieux. Lindros set a new WHL record with 138 points as he scored 57 goals and added 81 assists in 74 games. All-Rookie Team This is the first ever WHL All-Rookie Team as one wasn't awarded last season. Goalie - Patrick Lalime, Struer Norsemen Lalime played in 29 games for the Norsemen and won 21 of them. He boasted a 3.29 GAA and a .893 Save Pct. Defense - Bryan Berard, Chicoutimi Sparrows Berard made an immediate impact for the Sparrows as he led the team in assists and was the highest scoring blueliner on the club. Defense - Bryan McCabe, Des Moines Dominators McCabe finished second in the rookie scoring race with 83 points, 15 of which were goals. As often as not though McCabe made his real mark in the defensive zone with punishing hits and steady play. Center - Saku Koivu, Kingston Corinthians Not since Teemu Selanne burst onto the NHL scene has a rookie made a bigger splash in professional hockey. This dimunitive Finn scored 60 goals in the regular season and went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy for being the MVP in the playoffs. The only question is, can he do it again? Winger - Sergei Samsonov, Whitehorse Rapids Samsonov didn't get alot of media attention playing up in the Yukon but opposing defenders took notice of him right away. Samsonov led the Rapids in scoring with 33 goals and 42 assists. Winger - Miikka Elomo, Toronto Stallions Elomo scored 37 goals this past season and was noted as much for his defensive play. A fine two-way performer Elomo also added 35 assists. Originally drafted by the Huskies Elomo found playing in Toronto to his liking and he will be heard from for a long time. 2nd All-Star Team Goalie - Curtis Joseph, Vancouver Voodoo Often the only bright spot in Vancouver after Darren Kinnaird's many wheelings and dealings, Joseph battled hard every night, often facing upwards of 60 shots. He led the league with a .902 Save Pct. and 5 shutouts. Defense - Sandis Ozolinsh, Vancouver Voodoo It's not very often that a cellar-dwelling team places two players on an All-Star team but Ozolinsh's 16 goals and 46 assists placed him second on the Voodoo in scoring. Always dangerous in the offensive zone, Sandis scored 3 shorthanded goals to lead all defencemen. Center - Mario Lemieux, Albany Mallrats #66 scored 60 goals this past season, and added 56 helpers. This is Mario's 2nd straight 2nd All-Star team berth. Left Wing - Kevin Stevens, Des Moines Dominators Stevens finished 7th in the league with 52 goals as he led the Dominators in scoring. His 9 game-winning goals left him tied for second in the WHL, just one behind Alexei Zhamnov of the Vikings. Right Wing - Owen Nolan, Edmonton Vikings Nolan boasted career highs with 46 goals and 51 assists, which placed him 9th in the league. Doing his best work in the corners and in front of the net, Nolan earned every single point. 1st All-Star Team Goalie - Felix Potvin, Chicoutimi Sparrows Potvin tied for the league lead in wins with 39, led the league in GAA, and finished with the 3rd highest Save Pct. His play was one of the major factors behing the Sparrows incredible turnaround. Defense - Eric Desjardins, Edmonton Vikings This is Desjardins second consecutive first All-Star team berth and he does it through consistency. Never flashy, Desjardins simply gets the job done. He again led the Vikings d-corps and finished with 11 goals and 54 assists for 65 points. Defense - Steve Smith, Struer Norsemen The highest scoring defenceman in the league with 15 goals and 77 assists for 92 points, Smith also led the league with an astounding +88. Not particularly blessed with great offensive skills, Smith gets the majority of his points by showing poise and patience with the puck. Center - Eric Lindros, Albany Mallrats The second and arguably more deadly half of the Mallrats 66/88 combo, Lindros was a force all season long. His 138 points dwarfed the opposition and his 81 assists led the league. A fearsome opponent, Lindros probably knocked down one opponent for every point he had. Left Wing - Brendan Shanahan, Edmonton Vikings Much travelled, Shanahan played for 3 teams this past season before finally settling down in Edmonton with the Vikings. Regardless of which team he played for, Shanahan scored...43 times in fact. This is Brendan's second straight ist All-Star berth after making it last year as a Huskie. Right Wing - Peter Bondra, Struer Norsemen Bondra was also traded this past season, moving from the Steelcats to the Norsemen. Bondra led the league in goals with 62, of which an amazing 52 were at even-strength. Deadly at all times, Bondra is at his best taking the puck on the fly in the neutral zone. You'd be hard-pressed to find a defenceman in the league who wasn't burnt by Bondra at least once this past season. King Clancy Memorial Trophy -Presented to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice. 1995-96 Winner - Ron Francis, New York Kodiaks Nominees: Eric Lindros, Albany Mallrats - Lindros led the Mallrats in scoring and was an active member in the community. As the honorary chairman of the Albany Foodbanks Christmas Drive, Lindros helped the people of Albany set a new record for donations. He is also involved in several other Albany charities, including Big Brothers and the Heart and Lung Foundation. Mark Recchi, Struer Norsemen - Mark Recchi was a major on-ice contributor for the Presidents' Trophy winning Struer Norsemen. As tough as it was to pack up and head overseas, Recchi immediately dove into his new community. Along with Norsemen management, Recchi founded the Pucks for Punks program which introduced the game of hockey to disadvantaged Struer and area children. Doug Gilmour, Waterloo Warriors - Doug Gilmour, a long-time fixture in the Ontario area, led the Waterloo Warriors, with his grit, tenacity, and a will to win. The Warriors success had less to do with their talent level and more to do with everyone following the lead of Gilmour. Gilmour also found the time to spearhead the Special Olympics program in Waterloo and serve as honorary chairman of the Christmas Bureau. And the winner is.....Eric Lindros of the Albany Mallrats. "Thank you very much for this honor, though I feel as though I share it with every WHL player and especially Mark and Doug. As professional athletes we are blessed in a way so few are. As a result we must take the time to give back what we can. Thank You." Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy -Awarded to the WHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. 1995-96 Winners - Wayne Gretzky, Waterloo Lunatics and Mats Sundin, Newfoundland Gangstaz Nominees: Brendan Shanahan, Edmonton Vikings - A 1st team All-Star last season and again this year, Brendan Shanahan moved from Saskatoon to Calgary with the Huskies, onwards to Vancouver in a trade before finally being traded to Edmonton near the trade deadline. Through all these moves Brendan continued to perform at a high level, scoring 43 goals for the 3 teams he played for. Curtis Joseph, Vancouver Voodoo - As the goalie for the Vancouver Voodoo, Cujo faced more shots in a given game than other WHL goalies faced in a week. Through the firesale in Vancouver, Joseph remained optimistic and went out every night with his team in hopes of better days. He is an example of what sportsmanship and competitiveness should be. Cam Neely, St. John's Grunts - Cam Neely has faced adversity almost every year of his career. After almost facing the end of his hockey career, Neely has battled back and found success in St. Johns. A role model for everyone, Neely is proof that hard work does pay off. And the winner is.....Curtis Joseph of the Vancouver Voodoo. "Well this is an honor. Brendan and Cam are real class acts and to be nominated along side them was special in itself. To actually win well.... I really want to thank everyone that voted for me. I would like to thank my teamates, the coaching staff, Mr. Kinnaird for the opportunity to play in Vancouver and to the fans of Vancouver. I know this past year was a tough one for Voodoo fans but next year will be better. I would like to give a special thanks to my family, my number one fans for believing in me and always being there with their support. Thanks and have a good evening." Frank Selke Trophy - Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. 1995-96 Winners - Sergei Fedorov, Hermitage Bangers and Alexei Zhamnov, Edmonton Vikings Nominees: Stephane Yelle, Fort Saskatchewan Fury - In just his first WHL season, Yelle showed the poise of a veteran. Sent out regularly as a penalty killer and to check the opponents top line, Yelle finished the year witha +37 rating. Kelly Miller, Chicoutimi Sparrows - Always a solid two-way player, Miller took this year to showcase his vast talents. When he wasn't scoring timely goals, he was focusing on the defensive part of the game. His 4 short-handed goals tied for the league lead and his +39 was among the league's best. Mats Sundin, Kingston Corinthians - Until this season Sundin was known only for his devestating offensive skills. Hard work during the summer months with the Corinthian coaching staff introduced a better-rounded Sundin whose +47 placed him 5th in the league. He took and won key faceoffs and kept solid defensive pressure on his opponents. And the winner is....Mats Sundin of the Kingston Corinthians. "I've always been known as an offensive forward. This season, I proved I can also play defense, while not lowering my offensive production. I proved I can be a complete player and that's important both for me and my team." Calder Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the top rookie in the WHL. 1995-96 Winner - Peter Forsberg, Minneapolis Monarchs Nominees: Saku Koivu, Kingston Corinthians - Koivu started the year with the Milton Mustangs and was a steady performer. After his trade to the Corinthians though Koivu really came on as he ran away with the rookie scoring title. He finished 6th overall in league scoring with 104 points and only Peter Bondra and Alexei Zhmanov scored more goals. Bryan McCabe, Des Moines Dominators - McCabe stepped right into the Des Moines line-up and made his presence felt from day one. He finished the year as the second-highest scoring rearguard in the league and showed continuous improvemnt throughout the season. Bryan Berard, Chicoutimi Sparrows - Selected 3rd overall in the WHL2 Entry Draft, Berad was brought to Chicoutimi with the hopes he would help turn around a struggling team. A year later the Sparrows record was 34 points better, thanks largely to Berard's stellar play at both ends of the ice. He finished with 68 points and led the Sparrows in assists. And the winner is....Saku Koivu of the Kingston Corinthians. "Honors aren't really important to me. What is is victory! Anyway, thanks and look for me and the Corinthians next season!" James Norris Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the WHL's Best Defenceman. 1995-96 Winner - Raymond Bourque, Waterloo Warriors Nominees: Bryan McCabe, Des Moines Dominators - McCabe scored all 15 of his goals at even-strength and finished the year with a +22 rating. His play was steady and he didn't look out of place at all. Bryan Berard, Chicoutimi Sparrows - The other "Bryan," Berard finished 5th in Defenseman scoring and second in shots for defensmen with 157. A regular on the powerplay and penalty-killing units, Berard's all-around game showed the savvy of a 10 year veteran. Steve Smith, Struer Norsemen - The highest scoring defenceman in the WHL and the recipient of the Alka-Seltzer Trophy for having the league's top +/-, Smith had 77 assists and was a +88. His defensive play was outstanding and he rcaked up scores of big hits. And the winner is....Steve Smith of the Struer Norsemen. "Well I can honestly say that at the start of the year I didn't expect to even get nominated for this trophy, let alone win it. The trade to Struer came at the right time for me, and helped me kick-start my game. I'd like to thank my teammates and my family and tell the two Bryans that all I'm going to do is polish this trophy all summer long so it'll be ready for the two of you this time next year. Thanks." Vezina Trophy - Awarded to the WHL's Top Goaltender 1995-96 Winner - John Vanbiesbrouck, Boston Agents Nominees: Chris Osgood, St. John's Grunts - Osgood finished the year with 35 wins, including 4 shutouts. His 3.28 GAA was 5th best in the league. Curtis Joseph, Vancouver Voodoo - Joseph led the WHL in shutouts, with 5, and in Save Pct. as he stopped 90.2% of the shots he faced. Felix Potvin, Chicoutimi Sparrows - With 39 wins and a 2.89 GAA, Potvin was a goaltending dynamo for much of the season. And the winner is....Felix Potvin of the Chicoutimi Sparrows. "This is a very nice award. I give good wishes to Curtis and Chris for their great years and just want to thank my teammates and the Sparrow coaching and management staff. We made great strides this year but still have further to go. Thank you very much." Lady Byng Memorial Trophy -Awarded to the WHL player who best combines sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a high level of play. 1995-96 Winner - Brett Hull, Vancouver Voodoo Nominees: Teemu Selanne, Hamilton Steelcats - In 63 games this season, "The Finnish Flash" had only 2 penalty minutes. He also scored 19 goals and added 29 assists for 48 points and is a threat every time he appears. Saku Koivu, Kingston Corinthians - Besides being the hottest thing to hit the WHL since the concessions in Hamilton started serving deep-fried jalepenos, Koivu is a clean player as his 39 PIM will attest to. Joe Juneau, Chicoutimi Sparrows - The quiet leader of the Sparrows, Juneau put up 87 points this year and only spent 22 minutes in the sin-bin. Much more valuable on the ice, Juneau scored 3 SH goals and had another 16 on the powerplay. And the winner is....Teemu Selanne of the Hamilton Steelcats. "I can honestly say I didn't expect to win this award because I had a very bad year for me. It's tough to accept any awards when you feel like you let down yourself and your teammates. I am very proud of my clean play and will always play like that but must tell my opponents to expect a different Teemu Selanne next year. Thank You." Jack Adams Award - Awarded to the WHL's Top Coach 1995-96 Winner - Adam Ardis, Albany Mallrats Nominees: Lori Steward, Struer Norsemen - Steward became the first female coach in WHL history after naming herself coach mere moments after purchasing the team. As coach, she led the Norsemen to the Presidents' Trophy, setting a league record with 96 points. Gilbert Perreault, Chicoutimi Sparrows - The Sparrows 34 point improvement can be attributed to alot of things but Perrault deserves alot of the credit. He brought stability and direction to a team that had floundered a great deal the previous season. The results were immediate as the Sparrows made their first playoff appearance and became a league force. Darryl Sittler, Toronto Stallions - Sittler took a team that had also struggled agreat deal and brought them to within one win of a Cyber Cup Finals berth. He saw the team through it's uproot halfway through the year from Milton to Toronto and did a great job of keeping the players focused on the game itself. And the winner is...Lori Steward of the Struer Norsemen. Miss Steward has since left the WHL and is unavailable for comment. Top Executive Trophy - Awarded to the league's Top General Manager. 1995-96 Winner - Andreas Larsson, Minneapolis Monarchs Nominees: Lee McEwen, Edmonton Vikings - Although not as trade-happy as some WHL GM's, McEwen brought in several top-flight players over the course of the past season. Brendan Shanahan, Jason Arnott, Sylvain Cote and Andy Moog were all brought in via trades and astute drafting brought the Vikings Radek Dvorak, Niklas Sundstrom and Manny Fernandez. All seven players played a key role in bringing the Vikings their second consecutive Smythe Division regular season title. Lori Steward, Struer Norsemen - Steward brought in Hart Memorial Trophy finalist Peter Bondra in one trade, and Norris Trophy finalist Steve Smith in another. A number of smaller deals were also made as the Norsemen claimed the Presidents' Trophy. Marc Hebert, Kingston Corinthians - The big deal of course brought in Saku Koivu and the Corinthians never semed to look back. Hebert also made a number of other deals though bringing in quality role players like Jason dawe, Frantisek Kucera and Brian Curran. He has also managed to stockplie one of the deepest farm systems in the entire league with talents like Jim Campbell, Sergei Gonchar, Valeri Bure, David Wilkie and Martin Biron. And the winner is.....Lori Steward of the Struer Norsemen. Once again Miss Steward is unavailable for comment. Hart Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the WHL's Most Valuable Player 1995-96 Winner - Sergei Fedorov, Hermitage Bangers Nominees: Peter Bondra, Struer Norsemen - Bondra led the league in goals with 62 and was the highest scoring right-winger in the enire WHL. His explosive speed, nifty stickhandling, and incredible shot enabled him to score goals in all parts of the offensive zone. Probably the most dangerous one-on-one player in the entire league, Bondra was the offensive catalyst behind the Norsemen's great season. Eric Lindros, Albany Mallrats - With a league record 138 points and 81 assists, Lindros was the dominant offensive player in the WHL this past season. As intimidating as he is talented, Lindros used his teammates skills as well as his own, to guide the 'Rats this year. Saku Koivu, Kingston Corinthians - What more can be said of Koivu? He came to a Corinthian team that was good and made them dominant. He scored 6 goals in one game and finished with 60 on the year. He scored another 22 in the palyoffs and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The only act he has to follow up on is his own. And the winner is....Eric Lindros of the Albany Mallrats. "Wow. This is a huge honor considering the other two finalists and all the great players in the WHL. It takes a little off the sting of not repeating as Cyber Cup Champions. I'd like to thank all of my teammates but especially Mario Lemieux. He makes it that much easier to play the game I want to and this trophy is as much his as it is mine. I'd like to congragulate Saku and Peter on their seasons ans just want to wish everyone a good summer and say see you next year." Other Trophies: Alka Seltzer Trophy (Best Plus/Minus) goes to Steve Smith of the Struer Norsemen. Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoffs M.V.P.) goes to Saku Koivu of the Kingston Corinthians. Presidents' Trophy (Best Record in Season) goes to the Struer Norsemen. Lee McEwen WHL Awards Director ©Web Hockey League 2000