DATSYUK, PARISE AND ST. LOUIS NAMED LADY BYNG TROPHY FINALISTS
NEW YORK (April 24, 2009) — Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk, New Jersey Devils left wing Zach Parise and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis are the three finalists for the 2008-09 Lady Byng Trophy, awarded the player “who has exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability,” the National Hockey League announced today.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Lady Byng Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Thursday, June 18, during the 2009 NHL Awards show that will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada.
Following are the finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, in alphabetical order:
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Hockey Hall of Fame forward Frank Boucher, the only player in League history to capture the award for four consecutive seasons, could be joined by Datsyuk, the winner of the Lady Byng Trophy from 2006 through 2008.
Boucher claimed the trophy from 1928 through 1931 with the New York Rangers. Datsyuk finished fourth in the NHL scoring race with 97 points (32 goals, 65 assists), equaling his career high set in 2007-08. He ranked second among NHL players in takeaways with 89, placed third in plus-minus with a +34 rating and was whistled for just 11 minor penalties totaling 22 minutes.
Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils
A first-time NHL Awards finalist, Parise set single-season career highs in virtually every major category in 2008-09, including goals (45), assists (49), points (94), power-play goals (14), game-winning goals (eight) and plus-minus (+30). He ranked third in the League in goals and shots and was fifth in points. The Devils’ rising star did not miss a game
and committed just 12 minor penalties for a total of 24 minutes. He also set a franchise record with 364 shots on goal, registering at least one shot in 81 of 82 games.
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
St. Louis is a Lady Byng Trophy finalist for the fourth time, finishing second in each of the past two seasons and third in 2004. The versatile winger led the Lightning in goals (30), assists (50) and points (80), as well as in takeaways (74). He scored 30 goals or more for the fifth time in the past six seasons and reached the 80-point mark for the third consecutive campaign. St. Louis logged more total ice time (1,745:27) than all but three NHL forwards yet received just seven minor penalties totaling 14 minutes.
History
Lady Byng, wife of Canada’s Governor-General at the time, presented the Lady Byng Trophy to the NHL in the 1924-25 season. After Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won the award seven times in an eight-year span, he was given the trophy to keep and Lady Byng donated another trophy in 1936. After Lady Byng’s death in 1949, the League presented a new trophy in her memory.
Announcement Schedule
The NHL will announce the three finalists for each of its awards daily. The remaining announcement schedule:
Mon., Apr. 27: Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
Tue., Apr. 28: Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
Wed., Apr. 29: Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
Thur., Apr. 30: Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (perseverance and
dedication to hockey)
Fri., May 1 Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
Mon., May 4 NHL Foundation Player Award (contributions to charitable
causes)
Previously Announced Trophy Finalists
Calder Trophy (outstanding rookie):
Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets
Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks
Kris Versteeg, Chicago Blackhawks
Norris Trophy (outstanding defenseman):
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Mike Green, Washington Capitals
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
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