2026 TBRW Awards

[coz]

Natyshak - O'Brien
MacFarlane - Castagna
Gage - Stanley
Shippel - Kraft
Schafer - Walsh
Oates - Syer
Dadswell - Veilleux
Nieuwendyk - Castagna

[Trotsky]

I'm going throw something out there because Gage always seems to be misunderstood. 

Gage isn't necessarily a stay at home "guy whose work doesn't show up on the scoreboard" defensive forward or defensive defenseman award. Gage is a guy who is a likely otherwise cusp performer or even healthy scratch whose hustle and work ethic make him play better than he is, regardless of his role. 

That could be an elegantly twirling oak tree who worked so hard on his skating it became enough of a non-liability he made the bench one guy longer. 

It could be a Tiffany vase who took hits we thought would shatter him yet still gamely got on the ice 17 games a year between MRIs to thread perfect passes to the workhorses. 

It could be a lunch pail backbencher (like Terry Gage, my favorite player as an undergrad) lacking any apparent skills (er... like Gage) who still earned far more ice time than guys with twice his natural ability because every week when the bubble players sorted he just.  Wouldn't.  Die.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

I thought about Syer for the Oates, but felt it really should go to a player.

[Trotsky]

I was close to going O'Brien for Natyshak myself.

I'm kinda serious about renaming the award after O'Brien.  The award namesakes may have grandkids born before you, and the percentage of fans who know them drops every year due to... waivers.

I tried hyphenated awards with the original and then a 90s guy to freshen the awards about 15 years ago.  I think I may just rechisten them with the guy who most typifies the award from my 45 seasons, and who I would like to honor.

Moeser -- Matt Moulson and Morgan Barron have potential.

Norton -- Mark McRae is a great choice who also did this one thing this one time.

Hayward -- So many great possibilities. Matthew Galajda was denied his chance at immortality in 2020.

Natyshak -- Matt Nuttle deserved and won this award twice, which is nearly impossible.  But O'Brien is the perfect embodiment and the inspiration to rename the awards.

MacFarlane -- It will always be Randy MacFarlane.  IYKYK.

Gage -- Well, I might be able to better define the award by renaming.  In microcosm it might be Jimmy Rayhill.  But among examples that would be more helpful: Alex Nikolic, Mike Iggulden and Mitch Carefoot stand out for me.

Shippel -- The little engine who could award.  Three guys for me: Shaun Hannah, Topher Scott, and a certain Fan Favorite.

Schafer -- Carve it on Rushmore, muthafucka.

Oates -- Sean Backman is the only repeat winner, but there are guys who shine brighter for me: Joey Juneau, Todd White, Reid Cashman (sue me), Shayne Gostisbehere (throws up in mouth).  Dom Moore, a phenomenal college opponent, is the mawkish choice.  I don't do mawkish.

Dadswell -- David LeNeveu had a particularly impressive freshman season, unless I am missing somebody.  I have mellowed, I only considered Ben Robertson for a few seconds.

Nieuwy -- No rename ever.  Ever.  You'll have to carry me out the door feet first before you rename it to Caton, stere.

[Trotsky]

I thought about Syer for the Oates, but felt it really should go to a player.

Had there been anybody who truly stood out for me.  And somebody may make a great case.

[andyw2100]

I tried hyphenated awards with the original and then a 90s guy to freshen the awards about 15 years ago.  I think I may just rechisten them with the guy who most typifies the award from my 45 seasons, and who I would like to honor.

Your call, of course. but personally I like the idea of hyphenation with the original and a new player. That preserves honoring the first player and in a way also honors the younger player even more than a complete renaming would. Also tradition.

[stereax]

Gage is a guy who is a likely otherwise cusp performer or even healthy scratch whose hustle and work ethic make him play better than he is, regardless of his role.

[Trotsky]

I tried hyphenated awards with the original and then a 90s guy to freshen the awards about 15 years ago.  I think I may just rechisten them with the guy who most typifies the award from my 45 seasons, and who I would like to honor.

Your call, of course. but personally I like the idea of hyphenation with the original and a new player. That preserves honoring the first player and in a way also honors the younger player even more than a complete renaming would. Also tradition.

I will always preserve the original namesake on the list.  The hyphens were awkward, like the rich hippie children with two last names we went to school with in the 80s because don't privilege the patriarchy.* It's a nice idea theoretically but in execution it's cringe.

* Just give the brat the mother's name.  At least that parent we're sure of.

[Trotsky]

Gage is a guy who is a likely otherwise cusp performer or even healthy scratch whose hustle and work ethic make him play better than he is, regardless of his role.

I do not know what that is, but I would not like my daughter dating it.

[stereax]

Gage is a guy who is a likely otherwise cusp performer or even healthy scratch whose hustle and work ethic make him play better than he is, regardless of his role.

I do not know what that is, but I would not like my daughter dating it.

Broken link.

Also that's Jack O'Brien.

[stereax]

I tried hyphenated awards with the original and then a 90s guy to freshen the awards about 15 years ago.  I think I may just rechisten them with the guy who most typifies the award from my 45 seasons, and who I would like to honor.

Your call, of course. but personally I like the idea of hyphenation with the original and a new player. That preserves honoring the first player and in a way also honors the younger player even more than a complete renaming would. Also tradition.

I will always preserve the original namesake on the list.  The hyphens were awkward, like the rich hippie children with two last names we went to school with in the 80s because don't privilege the patriarchy.* It's a nice idea theoretically but in execution it's cringe.

* Just give the brat the mother's name.  At least that parent we're sure of.

could be cool to have like, an extended blurb of each award explaining what it's for (in some cases where it's not super obvious) and you could probably jam in previous namesakes there too

[JohnF81]

Hayward - Cournoyer
Natyshak - O'Brien
MacFarlane - Castagna
Gage - DeSantis
Shippel - Kraft
Schafer - Walsh
Oates - A.Smith
Dadswell - Veilleux
Nieuwendyk - Castagna

[George64]

Natyshak: O'Brien
MacFarlane: Castagna
Gage: Kraft
Shippel: Major
Schaefer: Walsh
Oates: Syer
Dadswell: Veilleux
Nieuwendyk: Castagna

[Jim Hyla]

I'm kinda serious about renaming the award(s). ... The award namesakes may have grandkids born before you, and the percentage of fans who know them drops every year due to... waivers.

Dadswell -- I think you should change Freshman to First Year Player and then name it after the most obvious, most important first year player-Dryden. No one comes close. I don't think it matters that he played so long ago, everybody that will participate will obviously know him.

[stereax]

I'm kinda serious about renaming the award(s). ... The award namesakes may have grandkids born before you, and the percentage of fans who know them drops every year due to... waivers.

Dadswell -- I think you should change Freshman to First Year Player and then name it after the most obvious, most important first year player-Dryden. No one comes close. I don't think it matters that he played so long ago, everybody that will participate will obviously know him.

On the topic of changing freshmen to first year, if you need another idea for the Shippel you can always call it the Katie Chan...