On Monday, the NHL announced the three finalists for the Mark Messier Leadership Award: Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo, Los Angeles forward Dustin Brown, and Washington forward Alexander Ovechkin.
Luongo and Brown are both deserving nominees; Ovechkin, on the other hand, makes a mockery of the core values of the award.
Started in 2006-07, the Messier Leadership Award is presented "to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season." Past winners have been Chris Chelios, Mats Sundin, and Jarome Iginla.
Based on this definition, a strong case can be made for both Brown and Luongo. However, simply reading that mission statement, and considering the past winners as potential company, should eliminate Ovechkin. ...
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Article written by TAB BAMFORD
Alexander Ovechkin’s Nomination Is a Mockery of the Messier Leadership Award
Posted: 22nd March 2010 by TAB BAMFORD in NHLComments Off on Alexander Ovechkin’s Nomination Is a Mockery of the Messier Leadership Award