Sea Dogs’ grad Jonathan Huberdeau named NHL’s Top Rookie
By Paul Krotz/CHL
For the sixth straight year the National Hockey League’s Rookie of the Year is a Canadian Hockey League graduate as former Saint John Sea Dog Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers was named the 2012-13 recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Huberdeau, who began the season in the QMJHL, became the Panthers’ first winner of the award edging former Vancouver Giant Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens, and former Saginaw Spirit forward Brandon Saad of the Chicago Blackhawks.
“It was a surprise. There were two other guys who had great rookie years,’’ Huberdeau said from Chicago not long after accepting the award on the Hockey Night in Canada set at the Stanley Cup Finals. “I wasn’t expecting anything. I’m pretty happy.’’
The third overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Huberdeau tied for the rookie lead in scoring with 31 points also setting a franchise record for most points by a rookie despite the lockout shortened season.
The 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup MVP, Huberdeau follows former Kitchener Rangers Gabriel Landeskog and Jeff Skinner, Kelowna Rockets’ grad Tyler Myers, Rangers’ goaltender Steve Mason, and London Knights’ star Patrick Kane on the list of past CHL players to earn top rookie honours.
In addition to Huberdeau, CHL alumni were the recipients of six other major NHL Awards this season.
Sidney Crosby, who played with the Rimouski Oceanic from 2003-05 was the recipient of the Ted Lindsay Award presented annually to the Most Outstanding Player as voted by members of the Players’ Association.
P.K Subban, who played four seasons with the Belleville Bulls from 2005-09 was the recipient of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league’s Top Defenceman with the Montreal Canadiens.
Ottawa Senators bench boss Paul MacLean received the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year and played with the Hull Olympiques in 1977-78.
Regina native Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild, who played goal for the hometown Pats for two full seasons before finishing his WHL career with the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2004, received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for best exemplifying qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, who played with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in 2002-03, earned the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership qualities on and off the ice with significant contributions to the community.
A pair of CHL graduates on the Chicago Blackhawks also shared the William M. Jennings Trophy awarded to the goaltending tandem that allowed the fewest goals against. Corey Crawford, who played for the Moncton Wildcats from 2001-05, and Ray Emery, who played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 1999-2002 claimed the award.