2006-07: Most Improved/Comeback Fighter

[Merlin401]

Nominees

Wade Belak
After Colton Orr shattered his nose and confidence last year, Belak rebounded with a solid heavyweight outing that included impressive wins over Orr and Andrew Peters, as well as impressive battles with Donald Brashear and Cam Janssen.

Donald Brashear
A year after we thought he had lost it, Brashear returned in top form, opening up a bit more, dismantling the likes of Colton Orr, Arron Downey and Andrew Peters, and starting some old-school brawls by bloodying Vitaly Vishnevsky. No doubt this year put him right back on top again.

George Parros
Parros' balance and fighting ability continued an impressive improvement from his rookie year. He was now taking nice deciscions from Cam Janssen, Scott Parker, Darcy Hordichuk, David Koci and others while staying on his feet to engage in some good slugfests.

Jordin Tootoo
After fighting had nearly disappeared from Tootoo's game in 05-06, it returned in abudance this year with 12 fights including a slugfest with Jamal Mayers and answering the bell against heavyweight Reed Low. Five wins against two losses, more activity, and a nasty KO of Stephane Robidas earn him a comeback nomination.

My Pick

Donald Brashear had a great mayhem-filled year filled with impressive fights a year after getting knocked down by Doug Doull.

Previous Winners

2003-04: Matt Johnson
2005-06: John Erskine

[Mr. Pink]

Belak went from the laughing stock of the league, to a legit, reborn top 10 fighter.

[Isles4life]

Belak did do a good job of repairing his damaged reputation.

[JKidd]

Donald Brashear. Huggy took off those cemented gloves and had some "duzzies" this year. Not to mention actually taking over that "enforcer" role that he forgot about when he was in Philly

Great year from Huggy.

[Kikuchiyo]

I'll never be a big fan of Belak, but he did redeem himself somewhat this year.

[Kingdog819]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pink

Belak went from the laughing stock of the league, to a legit, reborn top 10 fighter.

I agree, my vote went to Belak. He was a disgrace last year and this year got top10 votes

[stevecanuck16]

Belak for sure. He should find himself in my top 10 list this year.

[IhateLindros]

Brash, he seemed to get his fire back the second half of the season.

[BGDDYKWL]

Wow, this one's very tough IMO. Brash had the best year of the three heavies, but was also significantly ahead of them going into the season. Parros went from almost a joke to a legit heavy, and Belak rebounded very nicely from a poor year. I didn't think Brash had that bad of a year last season, so that leaves me with two. Belak gets comeback fighter of the year, and I give most improved to Parros.

[MrFrost]

Parros.

The stache did awesome this year

[leafs_fan77]

Beeeeeeeelak!

[Colt Seavers]

I went with Belak. Everyone, including myself, was riding the Belak shame train, but I think he did a good job of redeeming himself later in the season with a solid draw in his Dec fight against Brashear, and his wins over Orr and Peters.

[kwnger1371]

Went with Brash I thought he was done after last year.

[Odjick29]

Belak? I'm surprised he has garnered this many votes...

[Thornton 19]

I voted for Belak, awful year last year and really turned it around this year.