ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador – The St. John’s IceCaps honoured their top performers from the 2011-12 AHL campaign with individual player awards on Sunday, April 8.
Paul Postma was called to the podium twice during the ceremony, which took place before the IceCaps victory over the Springfield Falcons. Postma was named the team’s most valuable player (MVP) and top defenseman, awards most in attendance anticipated he would receive.
The six-foot-three, 200 pound d-man had a stellar season in St. John’s, picking up 13 goals, 31 assists and 44 points in 55 games. Postma, who did not play in the game against Springfield due to a leg injury, accepted the awards to rousing applause from the 6,000 fans at Mile Once Centre and appeared genuinely humbled by the fans’ reaction.
“I didn’t even know it was awards day. They told me I had won the awards when I got to the rink today, so it was a big surprise,” Postma said after the April 8 contest. “It really is an honor. We have so many guys you could give these awards to … I’m just glad I was able to contribute to the team’s success.”
IceCaps head coach Keith McCambridge said Postma earned the awards because of his commitment to improving his defensive play this season. Prior to the 11-12 campaign, Postma was known primarily as an offensive defenseman. But as the current season progressed the 23-year-old rearguard displayed steady improvement in his end of the rink, resulting in a call up to the parent NHL club in Winnipeg earlier in the winter.
“If he wanted to play in the NHL, he needed to work on his positioning when the puck was in our zone and his play in front of our net and in the corners. He has made big improvements in those areas throughout the season. Paul has worked hard to get better and that’s a reason why he was called up to play three games in Winnipeg,” McCambridge said. “Offensively, he’s been a force back there all season. He’s got that big shot and he passes the puck extremely well. We always knew what he could do offensively, but it’s his defensive play that has really improved this season.”
Goaltender Eddie Pasquale was named the IceCaps Rookie of the Year after working his way from third stringer to starting net minder as the season progressed. His 2.41 goals-against-average and .911 save percentage easily best the other three goalies who have suited up for St. John’s this season, as do his four shutouts and 22 wins.
Rough and tumble forward Garth Murray won the Fan’s Choice Award. Murray has accumulated only three and 10 assists in 59 games, but he does all the little things fans appreciate, such as killing penalties, wining important face-offs and blocking shots. Fans also like the fact he will stick up for teammates, as his team-leading 112 penalty minutes indicate.
“Murray’s one of those guys this city can relate to. He’s a blue collar guy who goes to his job and works hard every day. Fans respect that kind of player,” said McCambridge.
Winger Jason King was named the IceCaps Community Man of the Year. Throughout the season King was active in visiting St. John’s schools and hospitals, making connections with the team’s young fans. These appearances meant a lot to followers of the team, especially since King is the only member of the IceCaps to be born and raised in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“He knows how important this team is to St. John’s and people of Newfoundland and Labrador. He’s the guy letting the other players know about this province and what the team means to people,” said McCambridge. “I’m a big fan of having players on the team who are from the area. They take a lot of pride in how the team performs and that pride rubs off on other players.”
Notes: The IceCaps received some bad news this week when they learned team captain Jason Jaffray is done for the season. Jaffray has not played since being injured in a March 30 game against the Norfolk Admirals and will have surgery for a spinal fusion on April 19. His recovery from the surgery could take as long as six months. In 47 games with St. John’s this season, the left winger had 38 points ….. The IceCaps have been besieged by injuries and call-ups to Winnipeg in recent weeks, but are now starting to get some players back into the lineup. Forwards Kevin Cormier and Spencer Machacek returned to the club once Winnipeg failed to qualify for the NHL playoffs while Postma, Marco Rossa, Brock Trotter and Ray Sawada have returned to practice and are expected to play this weekend for St. John’s. Defenseman Derek Meech rejoined the team last weekend after an extended stay on the injured reserve list; however John Negrin and Maxime Macenauer are still listed as day-to-day with minor injuries.
Contact the writer at Darcy.MacRae@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Jeff.Cull@prohockeynews.com
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