Vancouver Canucks: Midseason Awards for the Canucks

After a difficult start to the season for the Vancouver Canucks, the month of December was tremendous and saw them rise from the bottom of the West to the second spot in the Western Conference.

Several Vancouver Canucks players have stepped up and enabled the team to be successful, and they deserve to be acknowledged.

The Vancouver Canucks team awards for MVP, Unsung Hero, Top Scorer, Most Exciting Player and Best Defenseman will be discussed coming up.

Cyrus MacLean Award (Leading Scorer): Henrik Sedin

This award is pretty self-explanatory. The Cyrus McLean Award is given to the Canucks' leading scorer at season's end.

So far in 2011-12, Canucks captain Henrik Sedin leads the Canucks in scoring and is in a tie for the NHL lead with 46 points through 40 games, but let's not count his brother Daniel out either, as he is just two points back of Hank with 44 points.

Henrik was a beneficiary of the Canucks' strong December and finished the month with an astounding 20 assists to go along with two goals, for a point total of 22.

Henrik is the Canucks' top scorer at the midway point of their season.

Walter "Babe" Pratt Award (Best Defenseman): Kevin Bieksa

The Walter "Babe" Pratt Award for the Best Defenseman was a much more difficult decision. Three of the Canucks' six D-men could compete for this award: Dan Hamhuis, Alex Edler and the decided victor, Kevin Bieksa.

They have all had terrific campaigns thus far this year, but the all-around play of Bieksa has him leading the Canucks' D at the midway point this season.

Bieksa is second among Canucks D-men with 23 points this year, but he has also kept his plus/minus at plus-seven and is playing a lot better in all zones.

Where Bieksa used to pinch in the past and get caught, he has made smarter decisions in the offensive zone, is taking less penalties when he has to catch up to breaking opposition players, and his play in his own zone is second to none on the team this campaign.

This award could arguably go to all three previously mentioned players, but as of right now, it belongs to Kevin Bieksa.

Most Exciting Player Award: Jannik Hansen

Often thought of as an unsung hero for the Vancouver Canucks, forward Jannik Hansen has emerged as a key piece of the puzzle this season. Following his success in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, Hansen has already surpassed his career best in goals with 12 this season. 

Each time Hansen gets the puck on his stick, you know something good is going to happen, whether it be skating hard to the net or finessing the puck cross ice to a teammate or even sniping one top shelf.

Your heart gets pumping when Hansen is on the ice.

Not only is he offensively skilled, but also Hansen is not afraid to be physical. He will hit, block shots and basically do anything he can to keep the puck from going in his own net.

This may come as a surprise pick, but it is hard to argue that Jannik Hansen has not been an exciting player to watch on the Vancouver Canucks this season.

Fred J. Hume Unsung Hero Award: Cody Hodgson

Another pick that may come as a surprise is the winner of the Fred J. Hume Award for the Canucks' Unsung Hero, rookie center Cody Hodgson.

Up against stiff competition in Chris Higgins, Hodgson has not demanded the praise that Higgins has been receiving and thus is our Unsung Hero winner.

Hodgson is fifth in rookie scoring in the NHL this season with 22 points, and is also ninth overall on the Canucks. Although he only averages 12 minutes of ice time, Hodgson has stepped up into his role this season and is performing. He has nine goals on the season and is winning 41.9 percent of his faceoffs. 

Hodgson has the coaching staff won over and is receiving a bit more time on special teams as well. Cody Hodgson has the capability to change a game, and in such small increments of time on the ice it is incredible he is able to do so.

Much like Jannik Hansen, Hodgson is willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team and is thus the Canucks' Unsung Hero.

Cyclone Taylor MVP Award: Co-MVPs Daniel and Henrik Sedin

Another season, another incredible output by the Sedin brothers. Both Daniel and Henrik Sedin are the co-MVPs of the Vancouver Canucks at the midway point this season.

They both are the only players on the team averaging over a point per game this season, all the while at the top of the ladder in plus/minus on the team as well.

The Vancouver Canucks would not be battling for the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference had it not been for the play of the Sedins so far this season. With the brothers in first and third in the NHL in points, and far ahead of the rest of the Canucks, there isn't anyone else on the team that could contend for this award at the halfway point of the season. 

Although this choice seems to be the obvious one, other players who need to get their game back to how it has been in the past, including Ryan Kesler, could be contending for the award come season's end.

But, until then, the Cyclone Taylor Award to the MVPs of the Canucks goes to the Sedin brothers.

John Bain is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist

Follow him on Twitter: @JohnBainSports