Wednesday, April 19, 2006
View from the Red Road
View from the Red Road
Sharks' Thornton, Cheechoo win NHL trophies
as point, goal leaders
NHL.com
April 19, 2006
http://www.nhl.com/news/2006/04/269296.html
NEW YORK -- San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton captured his first career Art Ross Trophy as the NHL points leader and linemate Jonathan Cheechoo collected his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the League's top goal-scorer of the 2005-06 NHL season. Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff earned his first William Jennings Trophy as the goaltender for the club that finishes the regular season with the fewest goals against.Thornton finished the season with 125 points (29 goals, 96 assists), with the New York Rangers' Jaromir Jagr finishing second with 54-69--123. Cheechoo finished the season with 56 goals. Thornton and Cheechoo became the first teammates to capture the Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies since the Richard Trophy was introduced in 1999. Both will head to Nashville this weekend to take on the Predators in the opening first round playoffs.
Art Ross Trophy Leaders (points)
1. Joe Thornton, San Jose, 29-96--125
2. Jaromir Jagr, NY Rangers, 54-69--123
3. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington, 52-54--106
4. Dany Heatley, Ottawa, 50-53--103
5. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa, 43-60--103
Maurice Richard Trophy Leaders (goals)
1. Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose, 56
2. Jaromir Jagr, NY Rangers, 54
3. Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta, 52
4. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington, 52
5. Dany Heatley, Ottawa, 50
Kiprusoff, whose team allowed a League-low 200 goals, edged the Detroit tandem of Manny Legace and Chris Osgood, who allowed 209. Kiprusoff led all goaltenders in shutouts (10) and goals-against average (2.07), ranked second in victories (42) and third in save percentage (.923).
William Jennings Trophy Leaders (min. 25 GP to be eligible)1. Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames, 200 team goals against2. Manny Legace/Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings, 209 team goals against3. Dominik Hasek/Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators, 211 team goals against4. Manny Fernandez, Minnesota Wild, 215 team goals against4. Henrik Lundqvist/Kevin Weekes, New York Rangers, 215 team goals agains
Cheechoo Wins Richard Goal Scoring Trophy
April 18, 2006
http://www.sjsharks.com/news/news.asp?story_id=2317
Thanks to a final month where he registered 11 goals in 10 games, right wing Jonathan Cheechoo captured the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, given to the National Hockey League’s top goal scorer. This marks the first time a Sharks player has won the NHL’s goal scoring title. The 25-year-old Cheechoo, who ended the 2005-06 regular season with a franchise-record 56 goals, is the third San Jose Shark to win a major NHL award. Cheechoo edged out New York Rangers winger Jaromir Jagr, Washington Capitals rookie phenom Alexander Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers to become the seventh winner of the Richard Trophy. The award is named after the Montreal Canadiens legend, who was the first player to score 50 goals in a season and 500 in his career. Cheechoo capped off his outstanding 2005-06 season with his fifth hat trick of the campaign and his third against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on April 15. After being held scoreless Monday in the team’s regular season finale against the Los Angeles Kings, the Moose Factory, Ontario native waited for Jagr, Ovechkin and Kovalchuk to play their last regular season games on Tuesday before winning the award. In addition to setting a team record in goals scored, Cheechoo’s 93 points (37 assists) also established a Sharks standard. Scoring in pivotal moments, Cheechoo led the NHL in game-winning goals (11), home-ice goals (31) and divisional goals (29). His five-point performance (3-2=5) on April 15 was a Sharks season-high. Cheechoo became the first player to record five or more hat tricks in a season since Mario Lemieux notched six in 1995-96. Cheechoo became just the second aboriginal player to score more than 50 goals in a season, joining former Philadelphia Flyer and California Golden Seal Reggie Leach. Since 2003-04, Cheechoo has scored the most game-winning goals in the NHL (20) and has the most goals among any player entering the NHL since 2002-03 (93). During the 2005-06 season, “Cheech” was selected Seagate Technology “Sharks Player of the Month” for the month of November and January and was named the NHL Offensive Co-Player of the Week with teammate Joe Thornton (week of April 10-16). The six-foot-one, 195-pound winger was also named the winner of the PlayStation “Three Stars of the Game Award,” presented by 989 Sports, while earning a star in 23 games this season. Cheechoo joins current Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov (2001 Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year) and former left wing Tony Granato (1997 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for best exemplifying the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey) as Sharks major NHL award winners.
Joe Thornton Wins Art Ross Trophy
April 18, 2006
After posting a National Hockey League best 125 points, San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton captured the Art Ross Trophy, given to the League’s leading scorer, on Tuesday. Thornton beat out New York Ranger Jaromir Jagr, who notched 123 points on the season. This marks the first time a Sharks player has led the NHL in points.
"This is a team award," said Thornton. "You want to play well and good players make you better. Cheech and I are happy for each other."
It was not just his teammates who played a big role.
"I'm happy to win it for my family," said Thornton. "I'm surrounded by good people."
And Thornton knows that a lot of good hockey players have won the award previously.
"I'm proud and very humbled," said Thornton. "I never dreamed about it. A lot of big names have won it before."Thornton led the League with 125 points (29 goals, 96 assists) in 81 games this season. Since being acquired by the Sharks on Nov. 30, he posted 92 points (2nd in franchise history) and 72 assists (a franchise record) in helping the Sharks to a 36-14-7 record in his 57 games with the team. By recording 125 points overall, he became the most-prolific scorer in the history of NHL by a player who played for two teams in one season and is just the 11th player in NHL history to record 90-plus assists in one season. During the 2005-06 season, Thornton was the Seagate Technology “Sharks Player of the Year,” Seagate Technology “Sharks Player of the Month” for December and the NHL Offensive Player of the Week for the weeks of Dec. 5-11 and April 10-16. The six-foot-four, 223-pound native of London, Ontario competed for Team Canada’s men’s ice hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Thornton made an immediate impact with the Sharks, setting a franchise record by recording six consecutive multi-point games and helping the team to six consecutive victories in his first six contests. He concluded the season in similar fashion, posting six multi-point games in the teams final six of seven games. Thornton also tied a franchise record by recording assists in eight consecutive games from Dec. 2–20. Thornton captured his first scoring title after coming to the Sharks on Nov. 30 from Boston in exchange for forwards Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart. The award is the center’s first major NHL award in his eight year career.
Cheechoo Wins PlayStation three Stars Award
April 18, 2006
http://www.sjsharks.com/news/news.asp?story_id=2310
The San Jose Sharks announced that right wing Jonathan Cheechoo is the winner of the 2005-06 PlayStation “Three Stars of the Game” Award. Cheechoo was honored with the award from PlayStation following tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Kings at HP Pavilion at San Jose. Sony Computer Entertainment will also present a check for $2,500 to The Sharks Foundation in recognition of Cheechoo’s accomplishment. Cheechoo edged Sharks Captain Patrick Marleau by a single point to claim the award. Cheechoo has scored a league-leading and franchise record 56 goals this season and his 93 points (56-37=93) set a franchise record as well. Scoring in pivotal moments, Cheechoo leads the NHL in game-winning goals (11), home-ice goals (31) and divisional goals (29). His five-point performance (3-2=5) on April 15 against Anaheim was a Sharks season-high and gave him five hat trick, three-goal-games on the season. He became the first player to record five or more hat tricks in a season since Mario Lemieux notched six in 1995-96. The native of Moose Factory, Ontario became just the second Indigenous player to score more than 50 goals in a season, joining former Philadelphia Flyer Reggie Leach. Since 2003-04, Cheechoo has scored the most game-winning goals in the NHL (20) and he has the most goals among any player entering the NHL since 2002-03 (93).
Cheechoo Celebration
During the 2005-06 season, “Cheech” was selected Seagate Technology “Sharks Player of the Month” for the month of November and January and was named the NHL Offensive Co-Player of the Week with teammate Joe Thornton (Apr. 10 – 16). The six-foot-one, 195-pound winger earned a star in 23 games this season. At the end of each 2005-06 regular season game, players received five points for being chosen first star, three points for second star and one point for third star as listed on the official NHL game sheet distributed by the game’s official scorekeepers. Each star is chosen by members of the media based on the player’s performance each game.
Cheechoo and the Sharks head to Nashville this weekend for the opening round of playoffs against the Predators and Jordin Tootoo.
ROBITAILLE RETIRES Luc Robitaille, a respected thorn in the Sharks side for many years, played his final regular season game Monday night and was cheered by the HP Pavilion faithful. The top scoring left wing of all-time was acknowledged by Sharks management during a television timeout and was cheered again following the game when he shook hand with several Sharks players. “I think he’s been around so long that I played against him,” joked Wilson. “He was a great player and I’m happy he won a cup before retiring. He was always a great ambassador for the game. Always positive and smiling. He is stepping down at the right time and hopefully the Kings will keep him around.” Sharks rookie, and fellow Quebecer, Steve Bernier enjoyed the night against a provincial hero. “He is a French-Canadian kid whose problem was skating and he scored 600 goals,” said Bernier. “I’m a French-Canadian kid who had to improve my skating, so maybe I can try to do what he did. “He is one of the best left wings in the history of the NHL. It was amazing to play in his last game. It is a memory of a lifetime for me.”
Robitaille was “mic’d” for OLN during the game and Jonathan Cheechoo and Robitaille were heard by the TV listening audience congratulating each other just prior to the opening face-off, as the two started the game – Cheechoo at Right Wing, and Robitaille at his Left Wing position, which placed them right next to each other.
Premiere Cheechoo Blogsite: http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/63349
Sharks' Thornton, Cheechoo win NHL trophies
as point, goal leaders
NHL.com
April 19, 2006
http://www.nhl.com/news/2006/04/269296.html
NEW YORK -- San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton captured his first career Art Ross Trophy as the NHL points leader and linemate Jonathan Cheechoo collected his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the League's top goal-scorer of the 2005-06 NHL season. Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff earned his first William Jennings Trophy as the goaltender for the club that finishes the regular season with the fewest goals against.Thornton finished the season with 125 points (29 goals, 96 assists), with the New York Rangers' Jaromir Jagr finishing second with 54-69--123. Cheechoo finished the season with 56 goals. Thornton and Cheechoo became the first teammates to capture the Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies since the Richard Trophy was introduced in 1999. Both will head to Nashville this weekend to take on the Predators in the opening first round playoffs.
Art Ross Trophy Leaders (points)
1. Joe Thornton, San Jose, 29-96--125
2. Jaromir Jagr, NY Rangers, 54-69--123
3. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington, 52-54--106
4. Dany Heatley, Ottawa, 50-53--103
5. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa, 43-60--103
Maurice Richard Trophy Leaders (goals)
1. Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose, 56
2. Jaromir Jagr, NY Rangers, 54
3. Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta, 52
4. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington, 52
5. Dany Heatley, Ottawa, 50
Kiprusoff, whose team allowed a League-low 200 goals, edged the Detroit tandem of Manny Legace and Chris Osgood, who allowed 209. Kiprusoff led all goaltenders in shutouts (10) and goals-against average (2.07), ranked second in victories (42) and third in save percentage (.923).
William Jennings Trophy Leaders (min. 25 GP to be eligible)1. Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames, 200 team goals against2. Manny Legace/Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings, 209 team goals against3. Dominik Hasek/Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators, 211 team goals against4. Manny Fernandez, Minnesota Wild, 215 team goals against4. Henrik Lundqvist/Kevin Weekes, New York Rangers, 215 team goals agains
Cheechoo Wins Richard Goal Scoring Trophy
April 18, 2006
http://www.sjsharks.com/news/news.asp?story_id=2317
Thanks to a final month where he registered 11 goals in 10 games, right wing Jonathan Cheechoo captured the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, given to the National Hockey League’s top goal scorer. This marks the first time a Sharks player has won the NHL’s goal scoring title. The 25-year-old Cheechoo, who ended the 2005-06 regular season with a franchise-record 56 goals, is the third San Jose Shark to win a major NHL award. Cheechoo edged out New York Rangers winger Jaromir Jagr, Washington Capitals rookie phenom Alexander Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers to become the seventh winner of the Richard Trophy. The award is named after the Montreal Canadiens legend, who was the first player to score 50 goals in a season and 500 in his career. Cheechoo capped off his outstanding 2005-06 season with his fifth hat trick of the campaign and his third against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on April 15. After being held scoreless Monday in the team’s regular season finale against the Los Angeles Kings, the Moose Factory, Ontario native waited for Jagr, Ovechkin and Kovalchuk to play their last regular season games on Tuesday before winning the award. In addition to setting a team record in goals scored, Cheechoo’s 93 points (37 assists) also established a Sharks standard. Scoring in pivotal moments, Cheechoo led the NHL in game-winning goals (11), home-ice goals (31) and divisional goals (29). His five-point performance (3-2=5) on April 15 was a Sharks season-high. Cheechoo became the first player to record five or more hat tricks in a season since Mario Lemieux notched six in 1995-96. Cheechoo became just the second aboriginal player to score more than 50 goals in a season, joining former Philadelphia Flyer and California Golden Seal Reggie Leach. Since 2003-04, Cheechoo has scored the most game-winning goals in the NHL (20) and has the most goals among any player entering the NHL since 2002-03 (93). During the 2005-06 season, “Cheech” was selected Seagate Technology “Sharks Player of the Month” for the month of November and January and was named the NHL Offensive Co-Player of the Week with teammate Joe Thornton (week of April 10-16). The six-foot-one, 195-pound winger was also named the winner of the PlayStation “Three Stars of the Game Award,” presented by 989 Sports, while earning a star in 23 games this season. Cheechoo joins current Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov (2001 Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year) and former left wing Tony Granato (1997 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for best exemplifying the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey) as Sharks major NHL award winners.
Joe Thornton Wins Art Ross Trophy
April 18, 2006
After posting a National Hockey League best 125 points, San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton captured the Art Ross Trophy, given to the League’s leading scorer, on Tuesday. Thornton beat out New York Ranger Jaromir Jagr, who notched 123 points on the season. This marks the first time a Sharks player has led the NHL in points.
"This is a team award," said Thornton. "You want to play well and good players make you better. Cheech and I are happy for each other."
It was not just his teammates who played a big role.
"I'm happy to win it for my family," said Thornton. "I'm surrounded by good people."
And Thornton knows that a lot of good hockey players have won the award previously.
"I'm proud and very humbled," said Thornton. "I never dreamed about it. A lot of big names have won it before."Thornton led the League with 125 points (29 goals, 96 assists) in 81 games this season. Since being acquired by the Sharks on Nov. 30, he posted 92 points (2nd in franchise history) and 72 assists (a franchise record) in helping the Sharks to a 36-14-7 record in his 57 games with the team. By recording 125 points overall, he became the most-prolific scorer in the history of NHL by a player who played for two teams in one season and is just the 11th player in NHL history to record 90-plus assists in one season. During the 2005-06 season, Thornton was the Seagate Technology “Sharks Player of the Year,” Seagate Technology “Sharks Player of the Month” for December and the NHL Offensive Player of the Week for the weeks of Dec. 5-11 and April 10-16. The six-foot-four, 223-pound native of London, Ontario competed for Team Canada’s men’s ice hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Thornton made an immediate impact with the Sharks, setting a franchise record by recording six consecutive multi-point games and helping the team to six consecutive victories in his first six contests. He concluded the season in similar fashion, posting six multi-point games in the teams final six of seven games. Thornton also tied a franchise record by recording assists in eight consecutive games from Dec. 2–20. Thornton captured his first scoring title after coming to the Sharks on Nov. 30 from Boston in exchange for forwards Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart. The award is the center’s first major NHL award in his eight year career.
Cheechoo Wins PlayStation three Stars Award
April 18, 2006
http://www.sjsharks.com/news/news.asp?story_id=2310
The San Jose Sharks announced that right wing Jonathan Cheechoo is the winner of the 2005-06 PlayStation “Three Stars of the Game” Award. Cheechoo was honored with the award from PlayStation following tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Kings at HP Pavilion at San Jose. Sony Computer Entertainment will also present a check for $2,500 to The Sharks Foundation in recognition of Cheechoo’s accomplishment. Cheechoo edged Sharks Captain Patrick Marleau by a single point to claim the award. Cheechoo has scored a league-leading and franchise record 56 goals this season and his 93 points (56-37=93) set a franchise record as well. Scoring in pivotal moments, Cheechoo leads the NHL in game-winning goals (11), home-ice goals (31) and divisional goals (29). His five-point performance (3-2=5) on April 15 against Anaheim was a Sharks season-high and gave him five hat trick, three-goal-games on the season. He became the first player to record five or more hat tricks in a season since Mario Lemieux notched six in 1995-96. The native of Moose Factory, Ontario became just the second Indigenous player to score more than 50 goals in a season, joining former Philadelphia Flyer Reggie Leach. Since 2003-04, Cheechoo has scored the most game-winning goals in the NHL (20) and he has the most goals among any player entering the NHL since 2002-03 (93).
Cheechoo Celebration
During the 2005-06 season, “Cheech” was selected Seagate Technology “Sharks Player of the Month” for the month of November and January and was named the NHL Offensive Co-Player of the Week with teammate Joe Thornton (Apr. 10 – 16). The six-foot-one, 195-pound winger earned a star in 23 games this season. At the end of each 2005-06 regular season game, players received five points for being chosen first star, three points for second star and one point for third star as listed on the official NHL game sheet distributed by the game’s official scorekeepers. Each star is chosen by members of the media based on the player’s performance each game.
Cheechoo and the Sharks head to Nashville this weekend for the opening round of playoffs against the Predators and Jordin Tootoo.
ROBITAILLE RETIRES Luc Robitaille, a respected thorn in the Sharks side for many years, played his final regular season game Monday night and was cheered by the HP Pavilion faithful. The top scoring left wing of all-time was acknowledged by Sharks management during a television timeout and was cheered again following the game when he shook hand with several Sharks players. “I think he’s been around so long that I played against him,” joked Wilson. “He was a great player and I’m happy he won a cup before retiring. He was always a great ambassador for the game. Always positive and smiling. He is stepping down at the right time and hopefully the Kings will keep him around.” Sharks rookie, and fellow Quebecer, Steve Bernier enjoyed the night against a provincial hero. “He is a French-Canadian kid whose problem was skating and he scored 600 goals,” said Bernier. “I’m a French-Canadian kid who had to improve my skating, so maybe I can try to do what he did. “He is one of the best left wings in the history of the NHL. It was amazing to play in his last game. It is a memory of a lifetime for me.”
Robitaille was “mic’d” for OLN during the game and Jonathan Cheechoo and Robitaille were heard by the TV listening audience congratulating each other just prior to the opening face-off, as the two started the game – Cheechoo at Right Wing, and Robitaille at his Left Wing position, which placed them right next to each other.
Premiere Cheechoo Blogsite: http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/63349
# posted by Indigenous Red Man @ 7:15 AM 
