Welcome to the first annual Avalanche award blog. Since the NHL handed out their awards last night, it is time to hand out mine to the Avalanche players who earned them. All the awards are still the same awards, just renamed after Avalanche players.

Next year, I'll let you the fans decide in a poll. However, this year I'll have to decide, feel free to disagree in the comments section.

Stephane Yelle award (Selke)

This is the award for the Avs' player who exhibits the forward who exhibits the best defensive etiquette.

And the winner is...

Ryan O'Reilly

Radar was the guy who wasn't supposed to make the team. Instead he became the Avs' shutdown guy. He killed penalties, helped out goalies and defensemen and 9 times out of 10, made the smart decision with the puck.

Chris Drury Award (Calder)

Named after the only Avalanche player to win the Calder trophy, the Chris Drury award is given to the best rookie on the Avalanche.

And the winner is...

Matt Duchene

Third in Avs scoring, second in goal scoring, lead all rookies in scoring. Need I say more?

Ian Laperriere trophy (Lady Byng)

This trophy is given to the Avalanche player judged to be the best player exhibiting good sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.

And the winner is...

Matt Hendricks

Sure he may have fought a few times but he was a gentleman on and off the ice, treating all players with respect.

Adam Deadmarsh bounceback award (Masterson)

There's no other player who played for the Avs who persevered through more, save Peter Forsberg who already has another trophy in his name. Deadmarsh showed all the traits for which this award is made.

And the winner is...

Scott Hannan

Hannan had a rough year last year but had a good bounceback year, forming the top pairing with Kyle Quincey. Hannan is still overpaid and still a little slower but he battled hard this year, hard enough to earn this award.

Adam Foote leadership award

Since there is also a trophy named after Joe Sakic, this award goes to the only other captain in Avalanche history.

and the winner is...

Cody McLeod

No one showed more leadership on and off the ice than McLeod this year. He wasn't shy to get the team going with a fight, nor to shout at them when they were playing like crap. He should really get a letter on his jersey sooner rather than later.

Peter Forsberg award (Lindsay award)

This award is given to the most outstanding player on the Avs.

And the winner is...

Craig Anderson

Matt Duchene almost won this but Anderson was the big part of the Avs' season.

Marek Svatos award (breakout player of the year)

This might seem to be misplaced but Svatos came onto the scene and broke out, scoring 30+ goals in a year. Of course, he has not continued his production but he's the best example of a breakout player I can think of.

And the winner is...

Chris Stewart

He almost score 30 goals this year, survived a trip to the AHL and finally broke out into his own this year.

Wojtek Wolski Tin Man award

This award goes to the player who just doesn't really care. Has all the talent but seems to be lackadaisical in the way he approaches the game.

And the winner is...

Wojtek Wolski

Wolski got his Tin Man moniker this year. He inspired the award, he should get the first one.

Ray Bourque award (Norris)

Sure he was only here a year but it's high time Ray Bourque had an award named after him.

And the winner is...

Kyle Quincey

This is a tough award to award but Quincey was the best by a hair.

Patrick Roy award (Vezina)

Who else would we name a goaltending award after?

And the winner is...

Craig Anderson

He was the best goalie and the best player for the Avs.

Joe Sakic award (Hart)

Should the Avs win the cup, Sakic will also get to be named for the Conn Smythe. However, Sakic was always the Hart of the Avs and will live eternally as the Hart and soul with this award.

And the winner is...

Craig Anderson

He got the Avs into the playoffs, stole a game in the playoffs. He deserves this award.

And finally, the moment you've all been waiting for. After a season of facepalming, one player is about to win the...

Tyler Arnason facepalm award

Someone tell me you haven't done a facepalm watching this guy. It was between him and Skoula but thanks to twitter, Arnason has been named to this award.

And the winner is...

Kyle Cumiskey

Cumiskey, with his facepalms at the end of the season and in the playoffs, he just eased over Paul Stastny and Wojtek Wolski for the Facepalm recipient.

Follow me on Twitter


And onFacebook

I'm also on Formspring.me

If you have an Avs Question, ask it here: http://www.formspring.me/Avalangelist13

Join the Discussion: Chat Room » Message Board »

» Avs re-sign Stewart

» Way to go Terry Frei

» Why Sidney Crosby is the NHL's best player

» Kroenke owns Rams now, will transfer Avs to son

» Tracking the rebuild: Los Angeles