2006-07 Wells Award: Most Under-Rated/Unknown Fighter

[Merlin401]

Let me explain this category: This is to recognize some warriors that never get recognized outside the site, and often get ignored by fans of other teams here too. Everyone thinks SOMEONE is underrated. Brashear, Orr, Neil, but we talk about them all the time. They get the positive attention they deserve.

This is for great fighters who dont get dissected like most of the rest of NHL fighters. Despite putting up many more wins than losses, you'll have to look far and wide to see a thread on them. So to be nominated you need to have done 3 things this year:
1) recieved next to zero publicity
2) had at least 3 fights and done something noteworthy in them
3) had an impressive record

Nominees

Kevin Bieksa
Tough defenseman from the Vancouver Canucks who can fight with the best of them. 5-0-1 by our fight logs, easily beating a tough Jean-Francois Jacques, Chris Clark, Dustin Penner, and Karl Stewart. Also had a good draw with Jordin Tootoo.

Ryane Clowe
An impressive 6-0-2 by our logs, including drawing with a tough Shawn Thornton in a good fight and beatings of Jamal Mayers, Ian Laperriere, Steve Montador and a close fight with Krys Barch.

Rob Davison
Stuck in a fighters black hole known as San Jose, Davison had limited playing time but is one of the better middlweights/light heavyweights out there and no one ever says a word about him. Easily mowed down Ian Laperriere, Dave Scatchard, and Josh Gratton (!) in his 3 fights. Deserves more playing time and ink.

Travis Moen
Went 6-1-2 with a good middleweight fight card, but gets lost on the Anaheim Ducks team with 2 or 3 fighters ahead of him. KOd Shea Weber, mowed down Jamal Mayers and Matt Bradley and had a great fight with Nathan McIver that ended in a draw.

Matt Walker
The most unknown heavyweight in the league, who went 6-3-1 in 10 fights, including a good draw and win over Jody Shelley and good outings vs Krys Barch and Jean-Francois Jacques. Had a few losses to fellow heavyweights but should be mentioned in the same breath with those guys.

My Pick

Walker is the best fighter that no one talks about but Rob Davison is absolutely lost in San Jose. He showed a lot more promise this year than in year's past and I look forward to him getting a full-time job and seeing how he'll do with a 10-12 fight season.

Past Winners

first time category

[Mr. Pink]

Clowe had a great year capped by a beating of Tootoo.

[Isles4life]

I really like Moen. He had a solid year with the fists and put up respectable offensive numbers for someone in his role.

[jkidd]

Good god, what a list to choose from. I've been a Matt Walker fan since the first time I seen him, but am a huge Clowe guy as well.

Rob Davison floored Josh Gratton and is usually the winner in his bouts...

Damn it...

Davy it is...

[stevecanuck16]

Davison just didn't fight enough this year for me to pick him. So Clowe gets it.

[Humpzilla]

Pretty tough pick between Walker and Clowe. I went with Walker.

Side note - I don't think Travis Moen belongs on this list. I think pretty much everyone knows what he's done, and how good he is.

[Snipes19]

I voted for Ryane Clowe. I really like this guy. He's young, and not only is he very tough, but he can score goals too, and he got put on the first line with Thornton and Marleau for a while. That was a good reward to him, because he deserved it.

Clowe is a very good light-heavyweight IMO, and in a few years I could even see him develop into a solid heavyweight. He pounded on Tootoo and Mayers, and he even hung in there with Shawn Thornton.

Clowe is tough, and he always sticks up for his teammates. He deserves this award, because he never gets recognition at all.

[FlyersEnforcer]

i was stuck with walker and clowe, both impressed me. i ended up with clowe

[IhateLindros]

As much as I love Walker, when I saw this category I was hoping to see Ryan Clowe on it. Well he's here and he gets my vote!

[BGDDYKWL]

While Walker's probably the best fighter on this list, I think he's already on his way to becoming pretty well known. I also think Davison could be real solid, but he was just too inactive IMO. Clowe gets the nod.

[MrFrost]

Originally Posted by BGDDYKWL

While Walker's probably the best fighter on this list, I think he's already on his way to becoming pretty well known. I also think Davison could be real solid, but he was just too inactive IMO. Clowe gets the nod.

EXACTLY.

thanx for saving me the typing KWL

[The Linkster]

Hmm, TWO Sharks to choose from.

Clowe had more action, but Davidson was more impressive.

Gotta go with Davy, but a tough choice.

[Thornton 19]

Clowe, If Davidson got more time this year and some more fights he prolly would have takin this one.

[thepro987]

My fav. is def. Moen, but i have to go with Clowe

[Jensen]

Clowe with the homer pick.