And the Winner Is…

If you missed it, the Flyers End of the Year Awards were handed out prior to the final regular season game on April 6, 2008.  The Flyers Fan Club is proud to announce that Flyers center Mike Richards has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the Gene Hart Memorial Award, presented annually by the Fan Club to the “player with the most heart” as voted by members at each general meeting throughout the season.  Fan Club President Joe Fisher and junior member Ryan Carney (who won the drawing to accompany Joe), presented a trophy to Mike along with a check for a $1500.00 donation to the charity of his choice, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  Richards also won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the team’s Most Valuable Player, as selected by a panel of sportscasters and sportswriters.

Goalie Martin Biron took this season’s Toyota Cup for accumulating the most points by being selected “Star of the Game” and also captured the Yanick Dupre Class Guy Memorial Award for media rapport as voted by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.  Flyers Captain Jason Smith presented the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy to Braydon Coburn and Riley Cote who shared the honor for most improved player as voted by their teammates.  Finally, Kimmo Timonen was the winner of the Barry Ashbee Trophy for best defenseman as voted by a panel of sportscasters and sportswriters.  Congratulations to all the winners!!  Go Flyers!!

Playing with Heart

Flyers forward Ian Laperriere was chosen as the 2009-2010 Gene Hart Memorial Award winner.  This award is given annually to the “player with the most heart” as voted on by PFFC members at our monthly meetings.  During the Flyers pregame awards ceremony on April 11th, club President Joe Fisher along with lifetime board member Evelyn Gross (who won the opportunity to present the award by attending our monthly meetings) and Sara Hart presented Ian with a crystal trophy along with a check in the amount of $1500.00 payable to his favorite charity.  At the same time, Ian also received the Yanick Dupre Class Guy Memorial Award as voted on by The Philadelphia Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.

Laperriere was the perfect choice for this year’s award.  Time and again, “Lappy” has sacrificed his body (not to mention his face), for the team.  He gives a one hundred percent effort every time he hits the ice with his energy and enthusiasm.  Ian Laperriere leads by example and is a great inspiration for his teammates, the ultimate “team” player.  And at 36 years old, he’s not afraid to drop the gloves when the time is right.  A key player on the Flyers penalty kill, Laperriere blocked 74 shots this season (the most of any Flyers forward), two of them resulting in horrific facial injuries.  As you know, while blocking a shot earlier this season, Ian took a puck to the mouth, lost 7 teeth and received 70 plus stitches.  And during the 1st round of the playoffs, Ian was hit in the eye with the puck (also while blocking a shot), resulting in 60-70 stitches.  Because of the ensuing brain contusion & mild concussion, he was sidelined for the remainder of the postseason.  Laperriere has vowed to wear a face shield in the future, but something tells me once he’s back, his game won’t change a bit.

Congratulations Ian, you’ve shown us heart this whole season!  You definitely earned this one!!  Great job!