2011-12 Probert Award: Fighter of the Year

[Whaler Fan]

I know everyone here loves McGrattan, but let's not kid ourselves Thornton had a better year.

[NoKnuckles]

You should've just picked the players with the most fights this year since the normal guys weren't very active. Nominees should've been:

Prust
Thornton
Dorsett
Boll
Konopka

My pick would've been Prust.

I'm abstaining from the other vote... you can't give a guy Fighter of the Year for having 6 bouts... ridiculous.

[Merlin401]

Originally Posted by NoKnuckles

You should've just picked the players with the most fights this year since the normal guys weren't very active. Nominees should've been:

Prust
Thornton
Dorsett
Boll
Konopka

My pick would've been Prust.

I'm abstaining from the other vote... you can't give a guy Fighter of the Year for having 6 bouts... ridiculous.

See, but being the "fighter of the year" requires some semblance of being the best (or one of the best) fighters the league has. Awarding something for pure quantity is meaningless: we have the leader-board for that. And even if you preferred we did it by quantity, Thornton is CLEARLY the best fighter among the volume fighters this year, and *should* get your vote anyway.

Thornton >>> Prust (and has more fights too!)

[mikebflorida]

If Fighter of The Year means "BEST FIGHTER" then it's Mcgrattan in a land slide.

Yes, it would be nice if he had more fights but he, along with the other heavyweights that are left that can't really play and just fight, is going the way of the dodo. He should be sent out with the accolades he deserves as the best fighter.

If Fighter of The Year means who fought the most, was most aggressive, most willing, etc then it's Thornton.

I'm voting based on best fighter, the one you would bet to win all or most of his fights and that's Mcgrattan. He shouldn't be punished for a light card, he has less opponents now and even the guys that are in the NHL, most don't want to tangle with him and that deserves some mention too, call it the Clark Gillies Syndrome. LOL

I suggest really defining what the vote is for because it's obvious some people don't understand it or would just vote for Thornton because they are Bruin fans and if Thornton was a Duck or a Panther, he'd get 75% less votes, guaranteed.

[Merlin401]

Originally Posted by mikebflorida

I suggest really defining what the vote is for because it's obvious some people don't understand it or would just vote for Thornton because they are Bruin fans and if Thornton was a Duck or a Panther, he'd get 75% less votes, guaranteed.

I think the problem is that the "fighter of the year" means slightly different things to different people. Like you said, to some it strictly means the most fearsome fighter, to others the most active, and to others it is somewhere in between. Instead of pigeon-holing it, I always find the debate on it interesting.

[Isles4life]

This was a tough year for fighting all-around, and that obviously makes this a tough award category. I hate to vote for a guy with only 6 fights, but I still will for lack of what I perceive to be a better option. McGrattan, when he was playing and fighting, was the most impressive.

If Thornton could have just eeked out another win over an opponent I'd consider him better than, I'd have definitely voted for him, but despite his markedly higher level of activity compared to any other heavyweight in the league, I just don't get the overall impression that he had THAT great of a season to earn the award over McGrattan.

My fingers are crossed that we have better candidates for this award next year, although I'm not overly optimistic.

[hockeybrain]

Thorton over McGratten just because of record and number of fights.

[xELi]

easy pick imo, Shawn Thornton for obvius reasons

[brawls16]

Shawn Thornton - Fighter of the Year
Brian McGrattan - The Champ

[Fotiu]

John Scott???
What did he do??

[GCBC00]

Originally Posted by brawls16

Shawn Thornton - Fighter of the Year
Brian McGrattan - The Champ

brawls16, I like that Idea. Gotta go with you there. As many have mentioned, it is hard to pinpoint a single guy for this award, but you got it right with the separation. Brian McGrattan was impresive with his wins, and Shawn Thornton did well when he answered the bell (numerous times). I'd take Gratts in a 10 fight series over Thorts, any day. But Thorts was there night in and night out, ready to give er' to whoever disrespected one of his teamates (true enforcing). Safe to say we all would like to see both back on a regular shift next season.
Take care, Fellas....

[MattBurger]

Originally Posted by GCBC00

I'd take Gratts in a 10 fight series over Thorts, any day. But Thorts was there night in and night out, ready to give er' to whoever disrespected one of his teamates (true enforcing). Safe to say we all would like to see both back on a regular shift next season.
Take care, Fellas....

Thornton will definitely be a full-time player again next season. McGrattan on the other hand...

[Jack Schitt]

I don't Think a further definition of this award is necessary.... NJD spells it out pretty clearly in his post - the best fighter of 2011-2012 ONLY - and by that criteria I don't see how it could be Gratts. People seem to be looking at past performance when Picking. If you didn't know his history at all and just looked strictly at the numbers and cards the choice is obviously Thornton over Sentimental favorite Mcgrattan.

[GCBC00]

Originally Posted by MattBurger

Thornton will definitely be a full-time player again next season. McGrattan on the other hand...

Absolutely. I agree. I just mentioned the two in a 10 fight series, toe2toe. On overall playing experience and the way the League is nowadays, I'd take a Thornton on my team over a strict fighter like Gratts. Although I truly appreciate McGrattan, he is a dying breed. Unfortunately, guys like Gratts will no longer be in the show. More of a novelty in the A or ECHL...
Take care....

[straka91]

Had to go with Thornton, he is consistent with his fight frequency/performance and is a solid 4th liner to top it off.

Mcgrattan was solid when he was up and all of his fights this year were beauts, but he was only around for the later half the season. Cant give an award for a half season.