hockeyfights.com Awards

David M Singer
Jun 28, 2002

The NHL has their own awards, and we've always debated our own. This year we made it official. A vote for the things we were watching for this year that the NHL ignores. Do we love 50 goals? Sure, but that's covered. Who's the toughest team? Who's our favorite rookie? Well, I've got your votes, your thoughts, and then at least a little interpretation of it all.

What was the worst enforcing team (least tough)? - 118 responses
Dallas Stars 25
Detroit Red Wings 87
Vancouver Canucks 6
The Red Wings were the obvious choice having far fewer fighting majors then any other team this year.
 
What was the best enforcing (toughest) team? - 119 responses
Boston Bruins 29
Florida Panthers 58
New York Rangers 8
Philadelphia Flyers 24
Between having the most fighting majors and a duo of Worrell and Laus, most teams had little chance of putting up the rep that the Panthers had this year. It's a shame they couldn't bang out a few more wins. The Flyers and Bruins proved that tough teams can win many games.
 
What was the best team feud? - 116 responses
Bruins-Panthers 25
Ducks-Flames 31
Flyers-Panthers 15
Flyers-Rangers 16
Islanders-Rangers 29
This result was likely because of a single game with huge fighting major numbers and due to the fact that so few people so it in it's entirety. Isles-Rangers had the most hype game to game, and Bruins-Panthers was looked at as a "guarantee".
 
Who was the rookie of the year? - 118 responses
Darcy Hordichuk 17
Chris Neil 1
Stephen Peat 38
Jody Shelley 53
Kevin Sawyer 9
Shelley saw a lot of time, and always came to play. It's tough to get on the ice for some of these guys, and no matter how many times Shelley threw down, he still got a shift later. That's the impact a guy needs to make. Impressive wins against guys like Laraque don't hurt either.
 
Who was the biggest letdown this season? - 118 responses
Tie Domi 11
Sandy McCarthy 39
Jim McKenzie 9
Scott Parker 41
Bob Probert 18
Many people expect Parker to compete for the title of champ, and unless he does so, most will probably always see his season as a letdown. McCarthy is living on a reputation from years ago as he doesn't drop the mitts nearly as much as he used to. The "I'm a goal scorer" change will not become popular here. We are fans of doing both, of course.
 
Who was the biggest punching bag this season? - 118 responses
Matt Barnaby 22
Dennis Bonvie 10
Kelly Buchberger 63
Denny Lambert 15
Joey Tetarenko 8
No one's questioning heart here, some guys just took more punches then others. Chin tucked, not up if you want some advice.
 
Who was the most improved enforcer this season? - 118 responses
Eric Cairns 42
Reed Low 28
Krzysztof Oliwa 14
Peter Worrell 34
It's not easy for a defenseman to fight as much in the NHL anymore, but Cairns was respectable with 13 this season against some top guys. With an open style, the fans will love him if he keeps knocking guys down. Cairns only loss was an awkward hug from Worrell, who certainly didn't hug as much this season and was more willing then anyone this year with 33 fighting majors. Low had a slow start, but finished the season strong and ready to continue next year.
 
Who was the most exciting fighter (rock 'em sock 'em award)? - 119 responses
Jim Cummins 2
Darcy Hordichuk 8
Jeff Odgers 2
Stephen Peat 11
PJ Stock 96
Just being here means people love watching you. Little to be said, these guys open up and chuck 'em. Win or lose, people cheer.
 
Who was the best 2nd man ("best supporting actor")? - 116 responses
Wade Belak 30
Todd Fedoruk 32
Paul Laus 23
Ryan VandenBussche 31
It's a tough one here, read into it as you want. Each guy does his job and know his place on the team. Laus playing D most of the time might be overlooked a bit.
 
What was the best player feud this year? - 116 responses
Brashear-Parker 22
Cairns-McCarthy 22
Domi-McKenzie 17
Probert-Shelley 55
Sheer numbers might have won this one. Whenever 2 guys go 3 times in a game, people pick up their heads and that's where the votes went. Domi made waves by ducking Jimmy Mac early in the year, but then went out for revenge later. Cairns-McCarthy got press due to some Theo chicken-dancing and a Madison Square Garden main event in center ice. Brash-Parker was a good feud, but now that they're in different conferences, that will most likely cool off.
 
Who was the fighter of the year? - 119 responses
Donald Brashear 42
Eric Cairns 9
Georges Laraque 20
Reed Low 12
Peter Worrell 36
Brash may not have a style many like, but it got the job done this year and earned him credit even if it didn't earn him fans. Worrell's aggressiveness and slight change in style got him close. The two had a hug-fest towards the end of the year that could have made a more clear-cut champ had there been a big winner.

Some unedited random thoughts from the site delinquents:

bigbadbruin8 - I love these awards, and the nominees were very well chosen. And although I don't think that Bonvie was a punching bag, that is my homerish opinion :).

Toporowski - This was the best year for fights since the 1997-1998 season.

Knucklesamwitch - killed me to put brash as fighter of the year but had to!

fridge29lw - Where is Carolina for weakest team?

Putte Punch - A couple of awards should maybe be splits. Most exiting fighter: Stock and Peat, hard to tell which of them who rocked the best and whom socked the best. The best fighter of the year award: Worrell for quantity and Brash for quality (or at least superior huggability).

Vickers - POTVIN STILL SUCKS
(hate you too Rangers suck)

zamboni4015 - Steve Mckenna, Chris Dingman, and Andre Nazarov worst fighters of the year.

snoof - Best fight Peat-Stock 2

Chainsaw Churla - Rob Ray had a good season..

mesten424 - write in for player feud of the year: Boulton - McCarthy

larrylava - Donald Brashear, as everyone knows, is incredibly strong, and only likes to hug, allowing him to unload when ready. Even though he is my pick for fighter of the year on this list, my favorite fighter this year had to have been P.J. Stock.

winger - Fighter of the year in my opinion is someone that fights to win, takes a few to give a few. A defensive fighter who wrestles and holds the majority of the time and tries not to lose cannot be considered fighter of the year imo. Hence my pick - undefeated Reed Low. (Worrell a close second)

jesse - PJ Stock should be up for fighter of the year. He went toe to toe against low, and is far more exciting than the huggers (Brashear, Laraque and Worrell). Bonvie isn't a punching bag, he holds his own in every fight.

bruinguy - Although I don't believe he was the best fighter as I voted above, PJ Stock was certainly the most exciting one. He has the perfect mix of toughness and a bit of attitude to fire up the crowd. Unfortunately, that was fighting is about these days; fire up the team or crowd. Back in the 80's and earlier, the players really did hate each other, now...it's just not the same.

tito2893 - i hate brashear, i dont know why he ever gets any votes for anything(other than most over rated) he hugs the whole fight then rabbit punches to the back of the head, hes useless and shouldnt be on any list ever, except for biggest A-HOLE ever

crosscheck - Reed Low really surprised me this year and assumed his role as a fighter. His numbers may not be at 30 plus, but he really hung in there and has to be considered a legit enforcer. He looked stronger and meaner this season.

benclarke - I'd have to say, watch for Cairns next year to become a top 5 heavy...and as for being called out by McCarthy and then pounding him, great stuff

TWAK - jimmy mac wasn't a disappointment this year only the last 3 or 4 fights, c'mon now!

GOON 21 - Some of the "rookies" disappeared for stretches at a time..Very glad to see the #s for fighting had up-trend for 2001-2002, if this trend continues we will all be happy + "agree" on something.. PS "STAY OUT" to biased media, who NEVER EVER pay for ticket-dont really understand game + never ask the $dollar paying customer!! (over 80% fans LOVE a good clean scrap!!!)


Well, from the voting and comments I think it's safe to say no one's biased here, and we're not loaded with northeast fans On the whole, many things did come out right, and many were right, it certainly was a great season. Next year looks up with many players being re-signed by their current teams and rivalries from the past year staying put. We'll try and break it down for you even better with more reports, more awards, some new rankings and features. Have fun over the summer and visit often

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