Coaches make their call
Thu Mar 20, 2008

OSHAWA -- The Ontario Hockey League announced last week the results for the 2007-08 Coaches Poll, and a pair of Oshawa Generals figured prominently.

John Tavares captured the title as the Eastern Conference's most dangerous player in the goal area along with the designation of the best stickhandler. In 59 games this season, Tavares, who won a gold medal with Canada's national junior team earlier this year, posted 40-78-118 totals.

Also with the Generals, the OHL's top goal scorer, Brett MacLean, justifiably captured the award for best shot in the conference after potting 61 goals this season.

Elsewhere in the east, Belleville's Matt Beleskey captured three awards, one for hardest worker, best body checker and hardest shot.

Other east winners included Belleville's Cory Tanaka (best defensive forward, best penalty killer), Mississauga's Jesse Messier (most underrated), Belleville's Mike Murphy (most improved), Brampton's Cody Hodgson (smartest player), Niagara's Michael Swift (best skater), Belleville's Shawn Matthias (best on faceoffs), Brampton's Bobby Sanguinetti (best offensive defencemen), Belleville's Geoff Killing (best defensive defencemen) and Whitby's John Hughes of Brampton who was selected as the best playmaker.

In the Western Conference, it was Kitchener's Justin Azevedo, the league's leading point getter (119), who led the way with three awards including smartest player, best on faceoffs and best playmaker, while Sarnia's Steven Stamkos captured the best stickhandler and best shot categories and Kitchener's Matt Halischuk won the hardest worker and best penalty killer categories.

Mickey Renaud, the late captain of the Windsor Spitfires was honoured post-humously with the most underrated player and best defensive player awards.

Other winners in the west included: Saginaw's Jack Combs (most improved), Saginaw's Ryan McDonough (most dangerous in the goal area), Kitchener's Mikkel Boedker (best skater), Sault Ste. Marie's Josh Godfrey (hardest shot), Sarnia's Ryan Wilson (best body checker), Guelph's Drew Doughty (best offensive defencemen) and Kitchener's Matt Pepe (best defensive defencemen).