The NHL Awards will be handed out next month in Las Vegas, but for the fifth season in a row, it’s time to hand out the Alternative NHL Awards, which celebrate hockey’s greatest rulebreakers, recognizing the most frequent occupants of the penalty box by their individual specialty.
Take a walk back through history by reviewing the awards from 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006, or jump right ahead to this year’s big winners…
Like what you see here? Feel free to register for this site if you’d like to leave a comment, or join the OtF Facebook page. You can also follow me on Twitter at @Forechecker.
Boarding
Not only did Blake Comeau lead the league with 5 Boarding penalties this season, but three of them took place in the offensive zone, which must have driven Isles coach Scott Gordon nuts. Atlanta’s Christoph Schubert, Dallas forward Steve Ott, and San Jose’s Ryan Clowe were next with 4 Boarding calls each.
Charging
Eager and Philadelphia’s Ian Laperierre led the way with 3 Charging calls apiece, but Eager did the trick in just 60 games, as opposed to Lappy’s 82. This is Eager’s 2nd such honor, having also led the league in Charging (while playing just 23 games) in 2007-8. Tone it down, pal!
Cross-Checking
Foster & Pitkanen both notched 6 Cross-Checking penalties in just 71 games, earning them a tie for this title. Nashville’s Ryan Suter and Philadelphia’s Scott Hartnell also had 6 calls, but played more games.
For Pitkanen, this championship comes after years of hard work. He finished 2nd last year, and 3rd in 2007 before finally making it to the top. See kids, persistence pays off!
Delay of Game – Puck Over Glass
Montreal’s Hamrlik sent 5 free pucks into the stands, and went to the penalty box for it. Carolina’s Pitkanen and Phoenix defenseman Zybnek Michalek were just behind him with 4.
Diving
Tootoo took 2 Diving calls this year (how appropriate) in just 51 games, edging him ahead in this battle ahead of Jon Sim, who also was whistled twice for Diving, but played more games for the Islanders (77).
At a team level, Washington and Dallas led the way with 3 diving calls each.
Elbowing
The Canucks’ SOB was called for Elbowing 3 times this season in 65 games, giving him the award here over Dallas’ Steve Ott and Phoenix’s Martin Hanzal who played more.
Fighting
This is probably the one penalty that guys actively attempt to rack up, and Konopka’s 33 Fighting majors are the most in a single season since before the Great Lockout of 2004-5. Brandon Prust, who split time between the Flames and Rangers, and Ian Laperierre of Philadelphia came next at 25 fights each.
Goaltender Interference
A truly multi-faceted pest, Burrows ran the opposing team’s goaltender 6 times this season, just ahead of Scott Hartnell’s 5. I don’t think Vancouver coaches will complain about those penalties, however, as long as Burrows notches 35 goals as well.
High-Sticking
Pittsburgh’s Malkin inched ahead in a very tight race here, with 8 High-Sticking calls in 67 games. Danny Briere and Jason Blake also had 8, but played more games to reach that lofty goal.
Holding
What does a defenseman do when he loses position on an attacker? Hold him up, of course, and Hillen got whistled 9 times for being “all hands”. Ryan Whitney, who split time in Anaheim and Edmonton this season, was second with 8 such calls.
Hooking
This was an incredibly close race, basically a six-way tie with 9 Hooking calls each, with Smyth getting the nod based on fewest games played. The other leading Hookers were Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler of Vancouver, Danny Briere of Philadelphia, Buffalo’s Derek Roy and Atlanta’s Rich Peverley.
Interference
SOB ekes out another close win, with 9 Interference calls, tied with San Jose’s Douglas Murray (who played 79 games to O’Brien’s 65).
Roughing
Roughing is one of those penalties that’s hard to defend, as it’s more the result of undisciplined aggression more than anything else. Downie racked up 30 Roughing calls this season, the most in the post-lockout era, and miles ahead of Scott Hartnell’s 20.
Slashing
Sid the Kid whacked opponents with his stick 11 times, and went to the box for his two minutes of shame
Too Many Men
The Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche led the league with 13 Too Many Men calls during the season. Anaheim, by comparison, only got called twice.
Tripping
With 11 Tripping penalties, Kubina successfully defended his 2009 title! Buffalo’s Derek Roy came in second with 10 calls, but we’ll give him a special demerit for committing 5 of them in the offensive zone. Ouch, those have to hurt!
To keep up with all of our coverage of the Nashville Predators, you can subscribe to the RSS feed, follow us on Twitter (@Forechecker & @predatweeter), or catch the site on Facebook. You can also email me at the.forechecker@gmail.com.