The Professional Hockey Writers Association is made up of writers from a variety of backgrounds. Everyone’s relationship with hockey, or how they were drawn to the sport, is different.
Earlier this week, Kelly Erickson caught up with PHWA President, Scott Burnside, to talk about his role with the organization and some of his career highlights.
The PHWA would like to recognize and honor the recipients of the 2013-14 Dick Dillman award, given out every year to the top PR departments in each conference.
The Eastern Conference winners were the Boston Bruins and their outstanding staff of Matt Chmura, Eric Tosi, Heidi Holland, Erika Wentzell, Brandon McNelis, Caryn Switaj, Jessica Isner, and Jonathan Gotlib. For the Bruins, it was their third Dillman win in four years.
Huge congrats to PHWA president Kevin Allen, honored today by the Hockey Hall of Fame as this year’s Elmer Ferguson award winner.
Full details in the press release below from the Hockey Hall of Fame:
TORONTO (June 5, 2014) – Eric Duhatschek, Vice-President, Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, and Chuck Kaiton, President of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, announced today that KEVIN ALLEN will receive the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism and PAT FOLEY will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.
The Masterton is awarded to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication,” traits to which almost everyone aspires.
All ballots must have the first, second and third choice for the Masterton winner by the voter. If you simply send only one name, the ballot will be considered spoiled.
The deadline is April 20.
To aid for previews and informational purposes, PHWA members are sending in projected lineups for Game 1 of the playoffs. They’ll be posted here as they arrive. Send Craig Custance any updates or additional lineups.
A reminder that it’s imperative that our NHL awards ballots are accurate.
To avoid confusion, here’s a list of players who have either moved from forward positions of previous seasons or have been voted on at multiple positions in previous years. In some cases, these players have played multiple positions up front but for voting purposes, we’ve identified the preferred forward designation so votes aren’t split for individual players.
This is by no means a validation or endorsement for any of these players for voting purposes, just a guide to help with accuracy. If there is a player missing from this list you think should be there, contact Kevin Allen, Craig Custance or Mark Spector.
The hockey world lost one of its most dogged and honest reporters when the Daily Herald’s Tim Sassone died on March 25.
DETROIT – PHWA President Kevin Allen was named the recepient of the 2014 Lester Patrick Award, given annually to a person recognized for his contribution to hockey in the United States.
“It’s really been hard to put into words,” Allen said on the night of the honor. “It’s kind of like all those years when all of us have interviewed Stanley Cup winners and they said it’s surreal and I don’t have the proper words.
“Well, I’m in the communications business, and I’m still the same way. It’s really very hard to describe. To get this, it sort of says, OK, well, maybe I did something right in my career. It’s been great to be me.”