HabsWorld.net -- 

Just a day after being swept from the postseason, the Hamilton Bulldogs announced their individual player awards for the 2003-04 campaign. A total of 5 players won or split 6 individual awards, ranging from top defenceman, to MVP, to the local “Hometown Hero” award.

The first award is the team’s Most Valuable Player Award, as voted on by the players themselves. The winner: Benoit Gratton, despite playing just 50 games, scoring 51 points in that span. He was also in the AHL All-Star Classic, tallying a goal and 2 assists.

Hamilton Spectator Most Valuable Player Award:  Benoit Gratton

Recent Winners:
2002-03: Jason Ward
2001-02: Brian Swanson
2000-01: Paul Healey/Brian Swanson

The second award to be announced was the “Tim Horton’s Award,” not surprisingly awarded to the Bulldogs’ best defenceman, as voted on by the media. This season, there were a pair of recipients: Francois Beauchemin and Patrick Traverse. Beauchemin has 36 points in 77 games, while Traverse had 26 in 80 respectively.

Tim Horton’s Best Defenceman Award:  Francois Beauchemin and Patrick Traverse

Recent Winners:
2002-03: Marc-Andre Bergeron
2001-02: Sven Butenschon
2000-01: Rory Fitzpatrick

The next 2 awards were handed out to a former Bulldog and Hab prospect, who was traded away during the season: Jozef Balej. He won both The Molson Cup for most 3-Star selections, and the “Hometown Hero Award,” given to the hardest working player in home games. Both awards were voted on by local media in attendance at each home game. In 58 games this season, Balej tallied 58 points, with a team-high plus/minus rating of +21.

Molson Cup:  Jozef Balej

Recent Winners:
2002-03: Jason Ward
2001-02: Brian Swanson
2000-01: Paul Healey

Recent Winners:
2002-03: Tony Salmelainen/Jarret Stoll
2001-02: Jason Chimera
2000-01: Chad Hinz

Bulldogs rookie forward Duncan Milroy picked up a pair of awards himself, first the “Fans’ Choice Award” as voted on by the Booster Club, as well as the “Community Leadership Award,” for his work off the ice. Bulldogs management and staff vote for that award. On the ice this year, Milroy had a respectable 4 goals and 10 assists in 50 games.

Recent Winners:
2002-03: Marc-Andre Bergeron
2001-02: Brian Swanson
2000-01: Jason Chimera

Community Leadership Award:  Duncan Milroy

Recent Winners:
2002-03: Jason Ward
2001-02: Alain Nasreddine
2000-01: Ryan Risidore

Congratulations to all of the award winners, and to the Bulldogs organization for having such a strong season!