The First Annual Colgonics Awards

The Blackhawks came a long way this year from last.  Typically awards are given to those who scored the most goals or were the most popular players on the team.  I have chosen to pass out awards for the intangibles provided as well as awards for those who need to show us more.

Most Improved:  Brent Seabrook. Last year I cursed his name more than I should have. He was young and made a lot of mistakes. This year he came out and played solid defense and offense. He stood out when Keith was hurt taking on some of the best offensive players in the NHL and shut them down while taking on even more minutes. While he still may not be a Duncan Keith, he is well on his way to becoming one. Even his offense was impressive. His play this year convinced me to keep my mouth shut while Barker was making the same mistakes he did last year. We have this guy for a few more years and I can't see him not improving to an All-Star in the next three years.

Most Heart:  Ben Eager. Ok, disagree with me all you want. This guy plays every shift as if it was the last he will play. With little natural talent, he went out and lifted everyone's play a notch. When a hit was needed, he was there to deliver. Maybe he lost more fights than he won, but I will bet the opposition took notice when he was on the ice and he made them think about him instead of their game. I take my hat off Eager, thanks for the effort!

Comeback Player of the Year: Marty Havlet. To me, I wasn't surprised. I've been attending games for a few years and seen how he can play, however last year I heard the nicknames given to him by fans such as "Fancy Pants" and "Mr Porcelain". I felt the nicknames were uncalled for and he would come back this year. To all those who doubted his play last year, you will miss him when he plays for Montreal next year. I'd love to see him stay, however I know there are just too many players and not enough money. 

Most Class:  Denis Savard. Ok, he isn't a player. He showed more class than could ever be asked of a human. Look what the Blackhawks did to him. He gave them everything he had as a player, and they traded him away. He showed class and love of the Hawks by sucking it up and coming back to the city and team he loves to play out his final few years. After being the coach in waiting for a few years, he gets his chance. While a coach, he took raw talent and turned it into solid NHL players.  (Keith, Seabrook, Kane, and Toews to name a few). Maybe he wasn't the coach to take us to Lord Stanley, but the way he was let go was ridiculous. He could have chosen a different road, but instead chose the high road.  Just a classy person. All professional sports could use a few more people like him.

Biggest Disappointment:  Dustin Byfuglien. I don't see an argument here. To me, it looked like Buff showed up to play one out of every eight games. The games he did show up, he was great. Each of those games, it looked like either someone slapped him in the face before the game or he got lucky the night before. Whichever one it is, it should be done every game from here on out. The last two games were prime examples of his "capability", but 31 points and 15 goals are not what you expect from a player being paid $3 million as a restricted free agent. I love seeing him when he plays his best, it just needs to be every shift, not one out of ten.

Rookie of Year: Kris Versteeg. Boy, that was hard. What's really impressive is I thought Skille would take that role this year. Yes, the salary cap kept Skille in the minors, however if Skille produced like Versteeg, the Hawks would have made room. Kris will not get rookie of the year for the NHL and I feel that is a shame, just like Kane getting it last year over Toews. Voters tend to look at just goals and points and not at the player. Versteeg played on the penalty kill as a rookie. That is huge. Having a two-way player is a lot more important than five extra points. Kris, my vote is for you, sorry it doesn't count.

Favorite Memory of the Year: Hardhat Night. This may go down as the worst idea for a promotion since disco demolition night. Think about it...10,000 hardhats given away at a hockey game...you just knew a hat trick was coming. Toews does it once, then they take it away, so he does it again. Hardhats were flying everywhere.  I was in the front row of the 300 level and those hats left some marks. I don't want to know the damage done to those on the 100 level. 10,000 hard hats. I'm thinking that promotion won't be going on next year. 

Worst Memory: Winter Classic. Although it may go down as a highlight for many fans, I won't be one of them. There were no good seats, it was freezing cold, it was New Years, the men's bathroom was a disaster, and most importantly the Hawks lost.  McCub chose the venue as it would bring in the most money. He says the Bears could've made the playoffs...come on, really? I should've sold the $300 tickets and sat at a bar in Wrigleyville.  

All things said and done, the Hawks made the playoffs.  To me, the rest is gravy...but then again, I like gravy.  Go Hawks!!!