ELITE LEAGUE ICE HOCKEY: End of season awards shortlists announced (From This Is Lancashire)

ELITE LEAGUE ICE HOCKEY: End of season awards shortlists announced

6:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

The shortlists for the 2010 Elite League awards have been announced with the prestigious ceremony just over two weeks away. The awards nights is one of the highlights of the league calendar where the top performers from the season are honoured.

Netminder of the Year: Peter Hirsch (Coventry Blaze), Stephen Murphy (Belfast Giants), Cody Rudkowsky (Edinburgh Capitals)

Hirsch has led Coventry to the brink of their fourth Elite League title in seven years and secured a shutout this season against the Hull Stingrays.

Murphy has thrilled Belfast supporters with his consistent performances and has produced a staggering eight shutouts. Rudkowsky has turned Edinburgh into an excellent mid-table side with impressive displays throughout the season, including a shutout in Cardiff.

Defenceman of the Year: Tim Cook (Belfast Giants), Wes Jarvis (Cardiff Devils), Jonathan Weaver (Coventry Blaze)

Cook has been a huge hit in the Odyssey Arena after arriving from Florida. The former NHL draft pick was chosen by Corey Neilson as part of his Overseas All-Star squad.

Jarvis has been a standout defenceman in his third season in the UK. The 31-year-old helped the Devils to the final of the Challenge Cup.

Weaver has once again proven to be one of the best defencemen in the Elite League. He is the leading defensive points scorer and is set to captain Coventry to another Elite League title.

Forward of the Year: Greg Chambers (Coventry Blaze), Luke Fulghum (Coventry Blaze), Colin Shields (Belfast Giants)

Chambers has been a huge hit in Coventry after joining from Basingstoke and is set to have his best-ever year in the UK.

Fulghum has been a revelation at the Skydome since joining from Manchester scoring a point-per-game, and is one of the top five point scorers in the league.

Shields has had a breathtaking year in Northern Ireland and looks set to win the crown of top points scorer in the Elite League for 2009/10.

British Player of the Year: Stephen Murphy (Belfast Giants), Colin Shields (Belfast Giants), Jonathan Weaver (Coventry Blaze)

Murphy's goals against of under 2.5 per game and a near 92 per cent save record show why he is one of the top performers in the league.

Shields is on course to smash 100 points in an Elite League season and has already surpassed his best-ever league season in the UK.

Weaver just seems to get better with age and, as well as being as lethal as ever on the powerplay for the Blaze, has been a calming influence at the back for Paul Thompson’s men.

Newcomer of the Year: Owen Fussey (Edinburgh Capitals), Cameron Mann (Nottingham Panthers), Jeff Szwez (Belfast Giants)

Fussey is Edinburgh’s leading goalscorer and is staking a claim for a top ten finish in the league's point scoring race.

Mann has shown the skills that saw him play nearly 100 games in the NHL and has scored at over a point-per-game.

Szwez became an instant hit at the Odyssey with his no-nonsense attitude and his ability to provide and score goals with ease.

Player of the Year: Greg Chambers (Coventry Blaze), Luke Fulghum (Coventry Blaze), Colin Shields (Belfast Giants)

Chambers is set for a top five finish in the Elite League's point scoring race, as his silky skills have thrilled the Skydome this season.

Fulghum is set to win honours in his first season in Coventry with the Blaze on the verge of another Elite League title and has scored three hat-tricks this season.

Shields has not only proved he can score but provide goals this season and has been one of the most complete players in the Elite League.

Coach of the Year: Doug Christiansen (Edinburgh Capitals), Corey Neilson (Nottingham Panthers), Paul Thompson (Coventry Blaze)

Christiansen has concentrated on coaching after an injury at the start of the season and has led Edinburgh to their best-ever Elite League placing.

Neilson is already a winner this season, leading Panthers to Challenge Cup success over Cardiff.

Thompson is set to claim his fourth Elite League title success in seven years at the Skydome and is by far and away the most successful coach in the Elite League-era.

Fans' Favourite: Jade Galbraith (Nottingham Panthers), Luke Fulghum (Coventry Blaze), Colin Shields (Belfast Giants)

Galbraith has once again thrilled Elite League supporters with his silky skills and is set for a top three finish in the Elite League points scoring race.

Fulghum has already scored the most points in a single season in his career and is set to win his first trophy with the Blaze.

Shields has been a key player time after time for the Giants this season and has crucially scored five game winning goals.

The dinner takes place at the Belfry Hotel in Nottingham on Friday 2nd April ahead of the play-off finals weekend at the National Ice Centre.

Tickets are still available for the event and cost £45 or £450 for a table of ten and the price includes a 4-course meal with wine on the table. Dress code is lounge suits with black tie optional.

Tickets can be purchased via the Elite League website at eliteleague.co.uk