Each year, the Philadelphia Flyers hand out a few team awards, as voted on by the media, and this year, we have the honor of holding a ballot. We’re passing our vote along to you.
Today, we’re voting on the Yanick Dupre Class Guy Memorial Award, handed out each year to the Flyer who best illustrates character, dignity and respect for the sport both on and off the ice.
Players can’t win this award twice, so the only two Flyers that can’t be selected this year are Ian Laperriere, last year’s winner, and Danny Briere, the winner two years ago. After the jump, we’ll go through some of our top nominees. The poll is open.
Alright, so when you think of media friendly and you think of “Class Guy,” is Pronger really the first guy that comes to mind? No, probably not. But while he loves the role of villain on the team and in the NHL and he’s as sarcastic as sarcastic get, he’s actually a very nice guy and he does represent the team and the organization and the sport very well, at least in my opinion.
Besides, his wife is the chairwoman of the Flyers’ Wives Carnival.
Aside from his $10,000 donation to Children’s Hospital earlier this season, Carle is one of the most approachable guys on the team. He’s from Alaska, so he has to be nice, right?
He’s another Flyer in the same mold as Carle. Approachable, even-keeled, genuinely just a nice guy. He’s also donated a fair chunk of his paycheck to charity this season, and of course, he’s having a fantastic season to boot.
What’s not to like about Boosh, really? I don’t even think he needs an argument.
On Fan Appreciation Night last week, Shelley gave his game-worn jersey to a fan after the game, as the whole team did. I heard that he apologized to the guy because it didn’t have any blood on it. Seriously, how cool is that?
So, that’s a loose look at my ballot. You can influence it, though. I’ve included a few other players in the poll as well.
Who should get our vote for the Dupre award?
| Blair Betts | 45 |
| Brian Boucher | 336 |
| Matt Carle | 189 |
| Braydon Coburn | 52 |
| Scott Hartnell | 36 |
| Sean O’Donnell | 21 |
| Chris Pronger | 70 |
| Jody Shelley | 56 |
