Alaska's Metcalf Named ECHL Defenseman of the Year

[VodkaFish]

PRINCETON, N.J. – The ECHL on Wednesday announced that Peter Metcalf of the Alaska Aces is the recipient of the Defenseman of the Year award for 2007-08 as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches.

The ECHL Defenseman of the Year award is presented annually to the defensive player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.

Darrell Hay of Idaho finished second in the voting followed by Jamie Milam of Gwinnett and Chad Starling of Cincinnati.

Metcalf, who finished second in voting for the award last season, led ECHL defensemen with 60 points in 62 games including 53 assists which was first among defensemen and third overall. He led all blueliners and was fourth overall with 28 power-play assists while his 31 power-play points were second among defensemen.

He became only the seventh player in the 20-year history of the league to be named First Team All-ECHL in consecutive seasons after earning the honor a year ago when he led all defensemen with 48 assists and 61 points in 69 games.

He was named Second Team All-ECHL and won the Plus Performer of the Year award with +44 in 2005-06 while finishing second among defensemen with 52 points and fourth in assists with 39 in 69 games. Metcalf is one of 13 players/coaches to have his name engraved twice on the Kelly Cup having won in 2006 with Alaska and in 2003 as a rookie with Atlantic City.

He has played in the ECHL each of his first six professional seasons and has 225 points (41g-184a) and 788 penalty minutes in 281 regular season games and 33 points (9g-24a) and 117 penalty minutes in 60 games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

ECHL Defenseman of the Year Award Winners
2007-08 Peter Metcalf, Alaska Aces
2006-07 Jon Awe, Gwinnett Gladiators
2005-06 Ryan Gaucher, Alaska Aces
2004-05 Ray DiLauro, Wheeling Nailers
2003-04 Corey Neilson, Pensacola Ice Pilots
2002-03 Jim Baxter, Mississippi Sea Wolves
2001-02 Duncan Dalmao, Roanoke Express
2000-01 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1999-00 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1998-99 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1997-98 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1996-97 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1995-96 Chris Valicevic, Louisiana IceGators
1994-95 Brandon Smith, Dayton Bombers
1993-94 Tom Nemeth, Dayton Bombers
1992-93 Derek Booth, Toledo Storm
1991-92 Scott White, Greensboro Monarchs
1990-91 Brett MacDonald, Nashville Knights
1989-90 Bill Whitfield, Virginia Lancers
1988-89 Kelly Szauter, Erie Panthers