Lady Byng Trophy
The Lady Byng Trophy is awarded to the player who has exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playig ability as selected by the Profiessional Hockey Writers Association.
Lady Byng, the wife of Canada's Governor General at the time presented the trophy to the NHL in 1924-25. Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won hte award seven times in eight years and was presented the trophy to keep and Lady Byng donated another trophy in 1936.
Past winners from the Red Wings: Marty Barry (1937), Bill Quackenbush (1949), Red Kelly (1951, 1953, 1954), Dutch Reibel (1956), Alex Delvecchio (1959, 1966, 1969), Marcel Dionne (1975), Pavel Datsyuk (2006, 2007, 2008). Other notable winners: Toe Blake (1946), Dave Keon (1962, 1963) Bobby Hull (1965), Stan Mikita (1967, 1968), Mike Bossy (1983, 1984, 1986), Brett Hull (1990), Wayne Gretzky (1980, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999).
This year's finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy are: Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings, Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils, and Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Datsyuk is attempting to become just the second player in NHL history to win the Lady Byng Trophy in four consecutive seasons (Frank Boucher of teh New York Rangers, 1928-31). He finished the season fourth in the scoring race with 97 points (32-65-97) equaling his career best in points saet last season. He was second in takeaways with 89, third in plus/minus at +34 and was called for just 11 minor penalties for 22 minutes. Datsyuk is also a finalist for the Frank Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward, the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player, and the Pearson Award as the most outstanding player.
Zach Parise, New Jersey
Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils
Parise set single-season career highs in goals (45) assists (49) points (94) power play goals (14) game winning goals (eight) and plus/minus (+30). He ranked third in the NHL in goals and fifth in points, and committed just 12 minor penalties for 24 minutes. This is Parise's first nomination for an award.
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
St. Louis is a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy for the fourth time. He led the Lightning in goals (30) assists (50) and points (80) and had 74 takeaways. He played more minutes (1749:27) than all but three forwards and was called for just seven minor penalties for 14 minutes.
The winners will be announced on Thursday, June 18 during the 2009 NHL Awards Show from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas and broadcast on Versus in the United States and on CBC in Canada. For more on the Awards please visit: nhl.com
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Comments
Zach Parise should definitely get the Lady Byng Trophy. I was rooting for the Devils all year. Wish they would've pulled out a Stanley Cup win, but we'll definitely get it next year!
I think the most deserving Lady Byng Trophy winner was Bobby Hull. He was definitely the greatest left winger the NHL has ever seen and also a great guy. I heard that he'll be playing in a poker tournament this year with his fans. I think I could take Bobby Hull...in poker, that is.
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