Awards are a funny thing: Some serve a valid purpose and stay true to their original intent (Nobel peace prize, Borg-Warner trophy). Some are reduced to laughing-stock status (NHL All-Star voting, Motor Trend "Car of the year", etc.).
Some have become inflated monuments to themselves (the Oscars, the Grammy's, anything that might have an MTV "VJ" and/or Joan Rivers in attendance).
The Seventh Player award has, for the most part, stayed true to its original intent. Voted by the fans to the Bruins player that exemplifies the best work ethic and extra contribution to the Bruins' team during the season, it is the ultimate fan tribute and show of respect for the hardest-working players.
These players may not get noticed or awarded anywhere else, but the fan's noticed.
We take care of our own here in the Hub of Hockey.
Like the prize at the bottom of the Cracker Jack box (just keep it to yourself if you have no idea what Cracker Jacks are), the award comes with a car for the player and for one lucky fan.
This is purely superfluous, as the car has lately been: a) a piece of junk that dealers couldn't GIVE away, and b) downgraded recently to a two-year free lease of the same sad piece of junk.
One year, they awarded Cam Neely with a Dodge Neon. You can only imagine the look of shear enjoyment and excitement on Cam's face as he was presented with a car that he would turn down as a rental. I thought it would be a nice gesture if the fan gave Cam his Neon as well, then Cam could wear them like skates (and take some stress off that knee and hip).
The car is, suffice to say, no longer needed to accompany the award.
Regardless, Cam was another recipient of the Seventh Player Award, and he was very deserving of it that year. Usually players are judged on hard work and perseverance. Sometimes it can just be a plain, run-of-the-mill personality contest though, and they are far less meaningful.
I'd love to run a list of players that have won the award since it's inception, but I couldn't find one, and I'm not a big fan of unpaid research. Sorry.
Tim Thomas has won two years in a row, so this just goes to show non-Bruins fans that we realize what we have in the 34-year-old journeyman.
Milan Lucic won last year, previously P.J. Stock, Steve Leach, and Terry O'Reilly have also won. This just goes to show what kind of player is consistently adored in Boston. Bruised knuckles and broken noses are sometimes a prerequisite for immortality.
This year has a log-jam of worthy recipients. Phil Kessel, Marc Savard, Tim Thomas, Manny Fernandez, David Krejci, Blake Wheeler, Dennis Wideman, Zdeno Chara, and Matt Hunwick are all theoretically in the running for the Bruin that most makes a difference.
Me? I'm voting for David Krejci: The man is just eerie in his ability to make other players better and to show up in front of the net when no one is looking. I just hope he gets a worthy nickname soon so I don't have to keep questioning if I spelled his name right.
I've even been thinking of stepping it up a notch, so to speak. I'd like to start an eighth player award. This goes to a member of a (non-Bruins) player that has contributed to the Bruins success. This years nominee's for the first annual Revo's Eighth award are:
Steve Ott: For service above and beyond the call of duty in antagonizing the Bruins to play their time-honored, smash-mouth style for the first time this season.
Mike Komisarek: For providing color (red is a color) and motivation to Milan Lucic by sacrificing his face and shoulder muscles for the greater good (the greater good of the Bruins, anyway).
Sidney Crosby: For not doing anything when playing the Bruins.
Brad Boyes: Ditto.
Is this mean, vindictive, and petty? Maybe.
At least I won't be giving out a car.
6 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Brian Gaylord 6 months ago
I love it, Revo.
Great line. Also a great line about Krejci needing a nickname to make your life easier.
Great stuff about the relatively chintzy car awards. Will Revo's Eighth award winners get bus fare into Boston?
Edit Comment Cancel
Brian Gaylord 6 months ago
My comment above about a great line refers to the line "Cam could wear them like skates."
Edit Comment Cancel
Revo Boulanger 6 months ago
Thank You Brian, and it's good to see (or read) the hardcore fans that are out and about even though Buffalo had the boys number yesterday.
I do remember when the award gave out good cars. If memory serves: I think 'Ol Derek was awarded a Datsun 240 or 260z one year. Rumor had it that he traded in the car for "party favors" though.
Hell, can you imagine Orr being handed the keys to a...Pinto? Ewwww.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Marino 6 months ago
This is fantastic, Revo. Nicely done. Good pick with Krejci, too.
Edit Comment Cancel
Revo Boulanger 6 months ago
Thanks for the idea and prop's, Mark. The story kind of took a different turn than I expected, but my stuff usually does anyway.
In fact, I'm not sure I could drive straight if I tried...
Edit Comment Cancel
Mark Marino 6 months ago
That's a good thing, the hook here definitely worked out awesome. Keep it up, with the good stuff!
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.