Philadelphia Flyers Hand Out Yearly Awards: Richards Wins MVP

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Before tonight's game against the Florida Panthers, the Philadelphia Flyers handed out their annual team awards.  Six different awards, six different winners.  That is what the Flyers are used to: depth.  No one player dominates, and the year-end awards reflect that as well.

Bobby Clarke Award (Team MVP): For the second consecutive year, the Flyers' captain, Mike Richards, is the team's MVP, as voted on by a panel of sportscasters and sportswriters.  Richards is the Flyers' leader in assists with 48, plus/minus with a plus-24 rating, the leader among forwards with 21:48 time on ice per game, and he is second on the team in points with 78.  He also leads the league in shorthanded goals with seven.

Barry Ashbee Trophy (Defensive MVP): For the second consecutive year (again), Kimmo Timonen was awarded this prestigious award, named after the late Flyers' defenseman, as voted on by a panel of sportscasters and sportswriters.  Timonen leads Flyers' defensemen with assists, points, and blocked shots, and is second on the team in average time on ice.

Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy (Most Improved Player): The award, named after the late Flyers' goalie who tragically died in a car accident in the late eighties, was awarded to Flyers' rookie Darroll Powe, as voted on by his fellow teammates.  Powe, a Princeton University graduate, had six goals and five assists this season for 11 points in 56 games. Powe was a great energy player, and a great team player, one who is extremely active in the locker room and on the bench.

Yanick Dupre Class Guy Memorial Award: Presented annually to the player who best exemplifies a good relationship with the media, this award has been won by numerous known Flyers in the past few years.  This year, it was awarded to Danny Briere, who was out for the majority of the season with a groin injury.  The award is voted on by members of the PHWA (Philadelphia Hockey Writers' Association).

Gene Hart Memorial Award: This award, awarded annually to the player who has the most "heart," was given to Scott Hartnell. Hartnell has been the heart and soul of this Flyers' team, and was awarded a $1,500 check to be given to the charity of his choice.

Toyota Cup (Three Stars Award): Awarded to the player who has acquired the most points in the three stars' standings (three points for first star, two points for second star, and one point for third star).  Jeff Carter was awarded this trophy after being named the first star ten times, second star six times, and third star five times for a total of 73 points.  Carter was awarded a $5,000 check to be donated to the Flyers' Wives charity in his name.

Alan Bass is a Senior Writer for Bleacher Report, the Community Leader for the NHL and Philadelphia Flyers’ section, and a writer for Prohockeynews.com, Insidehockey.com, and Hockeybarn.com.  You can contact him at ALN424@aol.com. 

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