2011-12 Crowder Award: Rookie of the Year

[NJDevils17]

Though fighting was down this year and fewer teams were carrying enforcers, 2011-12 featured a strong showing of rookies.

Nominees

Zac Rinaldo - Philadelphia Flyers
Definitely not the biggest guy on this list, but one who is very tough for his compact size and engaged in some great scraps this year. While he didn't win many of his fights, he never backed down either. Highlights include entertaining fights against Corey Tropp, Brandon Prust, and Andrew Shaw. In addition to his fighting, Rinaldo was known to throw some monster hits, which lead to some of his fights.

Stu Bickel - New York Rangers
Bickel started out the season in Connecticut, but injuries on the Rangers' blue line made him available to be called up. Bickel has made the most of his call up by playing a simple, but effective game as well as being a physical force. He developed some nice rivalries with the New York Islanders' Matt Martin and Micheal Haley. Another highlight for Bickel was his slugfest with Ryan Carter in the crazy Devils-Rangers line brawl.

Brandon Bollig - Chicago Blackhawks
John Scott who? Like Bickel, Bollig started this season out in the minors. By trading Scott to the Rangers, Bollig was called up to take on the enforcer role. He definitely took advantage of the opportunity by taking on Ryan Reaves twice as well as dropping Jordin Tootoo. What's even more impressive is Bollig won 7 out of his 8 fights, losing only to Michael Rupp in a fairly close fight.

Matt Kassian - Minnesota Wild
Kassian originally made the Wild out of camp, but found himself on waivers after hardly playing. But after the Oilers roughing up the Wild, Kassian found himself back up the big club and cemented himself in the line-up with his destruction of Darcy Hordichuk. Kassian became a cult hero on that team as he supplanted Brad Staubitz from Minnesota. Kassian kept up the good work up beating Shawn Thornton in a good fight as well as Guillaume Desbiens in another.

My Pick

Some very good choices, but I really like what Brandon Bollig brings to the table. 8 fights in 18 games is very impressive, including a streak of fighting in 4 consecutive games. Another promising thing is that Bollig has some decent hockey skills and Joel Quenneville seems to like him. I can't wait to see him in the NHL full time next season.

Previous winners

2003-04: Andrew Peters
2005-06: Brian McGrattan
2006-07: D.J. King
2007-08: Riley Cote
2008-09: B.J. Crombeen
2009-10: Matt Carkner
2010-11: Deryk Engelland

[MattBurger]

Love Bollig, but I feel that Kassian is the better fighter of the two, so I went with him.

[DARCY T]

bickell had a good season but bollig stole this award from him in the last minute

[bruiser11]

Look out for Bollig next season.

[DARCY T]

i would add reaves to nominees if rinaldo is there

[Killah_punk]

Matt Kassian is legit. Here's the two top candidates in a battle from the AHL.

Matt Kassian vs Brandon Bollig - YouTube

[swhite]

Originally Posted by DARCY T

i would add reaves to nominees if rinaldo is there

I'll second that. What about Ryan Reaves?

Edit: Didn't realize Reaves played in 28 games last year and had 8 FM.

[BullyFan]

Originally Posted by swhite

I'll second that. What about Ryan Reaves?

Edit: Didn't realize Reaves played in 28 games last year and had 8 FM.

I woulda voted Reaves if he was eligible, so Bollig it is.

[Isles4life]

While I believe that Matt Kassian is the better fighter, I can't ignore the impact Brandon Bollig had after his late season call-up. The guy was just so active and had some pretty solid success with the gloves off, that even though he wasn't around for the whole year, and might not be the best pure fighter on the list, he takes the honors for me.

[mikebflorida]

I thought we discussed this earlier and many people would vote for Kassian. LOL

Bollig is one of my favorites now but I think Kassian is better. Great to see both of these guys in the NHL, let's hope they stay.

[The Mad House]

Originally Posted by MattBurger

Love Bollig, but I feel that Kassian is the better fighter of the two, so I went with him.

They're both great fighters, but they had a dance while in the AHL that was incredible.

Matt Kassian vs Brandon Bollig - YouTube

I didn't see a clear winner, but two great fighters indeed.

[Blues 34]

Bollig easy here. This kid looks to be a good one, hopefully he and Ryan Reaves continue a good rivalry that goes back to the AHL going forward

[hockey doc]

I like bollig but if you can't beat mike rupp you shouldn't even be on this list.

[MattBurger]

Originally Posted by hockey doc

I like bollig but if you can't beat mike rupp you shouldn't even be on this list.

That's pretty stupid reasoning. Rupp is 6'5" 230lbs and has beaten the likes of Eric Boulton, Shawn Thornton, Cam Janssen, Chris Neil, Andre Roy, and Colton Orr in his career.

[DARCY T]

Originally Posted by MattBurger

That's pretty stupid reasoning. Rupp is 6'5" 230lbs and has beaten the likes of Eric Boulton, Shawn Thornton, Cam Janssen, Chris Neil, Andre Roy, and Colton Orr in his career.

he is just trolling