Montreal Canadiens End of Season Awards Ceremony

The Canadiens endured a tough season but their were still bright spots that should be acknowledged through team awards.

The Canadiens had a very up and (mostly)down season but they still had some bright spots. In order to recognize these individuals, I will be virtually presenting those players with The Winning Habit End of Season Awards.

I am going to use the NHL awards as my basis but with our own little Montreal Canadiens. The awards will go as follows: The Jean Beliveau Trophy for Team MVP, The Larry Robinson Trophy for Best Defenceman, The Bob Gainey Trophy For Best Defensive Forward and The Jacques Plante Trophy for Best Goaltender.

While the nominees, their loved ones, local celebrities and Canadiens fans walk the red carpet, find their seats and prepare for a fine evening of wining and dining, we here at A Winning Habit will prepare to unveil the 2016 Montreal Canadiens End of Season Awards. So without further delay, let the award show begin.

Jean Beliveau Trophy for Canadiens MVP

I was incredibly tempted to name Carey Price for this award because this season, we truly saw just how valuable he is to this team. With him, the Canadiens are a legitimate playoff and possible Stanley Cup contender. Without him, the Canadiens are fighting for a lottery position.

However, this article is to highlight those who played all(or most) of the year.

And your winner is…Alex Galchenyuk.

Apr 9, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center /

Yes, Galchenyuk’s year was really a tale of two seasons. He wasn’t exactly scoring at a consistent pace until late in the season but he was really one of Montreal’s best forwards since late November. Through Montreal’s dreadful December, the budding 1st line center seemed to be the only offensive threat on the ice most nights and this is a team that has one of the best offensive defenceman and one of the best left wings in the entire NHL on its roster.

Some food for thought on just how good Galchenyuk was this season. He is only the 5th Montreal Canadiens player to score 30 goals in a season since 1996-97, joining Max Pacioretty, Michael Ryder, Alex Kovalev and Mark Recchi. That’s nearly 20 seasons of hockey and he just turned 22 years old in February.

Not impressed? Well how about this? Galchenyuk is the youngest Montreal Canadiens player to score 30 goals in a season since Stephane Richer scored a remarkable 51 goals as a 21 year old in 1987-88.

Still not impressed? Really? Well, Galchenyuk joined Richer, Kjell Dahlin, Claude Lemieux, Mario Tremblay, Steve Shutt, Marc Tardif, Howie Morenz, Guy Lafleur, Maurice Richard and Bernie Geoffrion as the only 22 or younger players to score 30 goals in a season in the entire 100+ year history of the Montreal Canadiens franchise. That is an elite and prestigious group of players that includes 6 Hall of Fame players.

All told, Galchenyuk recorded 30 goals and 56 points while transitioning from a player with potential to a player that looked every bit like a 1st line center down the stretch.

Larry Robinson Trophy for Canadiens Top Defenceman

This season, the Montreal Canadiens defensive unit suffered through numerous injuries and several call ups. To say it was a rough year for them would be an understatement.

Regardless, enough players played significant roles that we have a clear cut winner of the Larry Robinson Award.

And your winner is… P.K. Subban

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Was their really any question? Despite having what many would describe as a disappointing season, Subban continued to be the Canadiens best defender and offensive catalyst.

He became just the 3rd Montreal Canadiens defender in team history to record a 3rd straight 50+ point season and if it weren’t for a late-season neck injury, P.K. may have tied or even passed his career high of 60 points. P.K. will continue being an integral part of the Habs team and should be a repeat Larry Robinson Trophy recipient while also being an annual Norris candidate.

Bob Gainey Trophy For Canadiens Top Defensive Forward

and the winner is…Paul Byron

What a season for the ex-Flame. Byron went from pre-season waiver claim to playing an integral part of the Canadiens roster.

The speedy winger recorded a career high in goals with 11 and was continuously a threat to score while short-handed. In fact, Byron led all Habs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game and proved to be so valuable that Marc Bergevin inked him to a 3 year extension.

Jacques Plante Trophy For Canadiens Top Goaltender

and the winner is…Mike Condon

With Carey Price playing just 12 games for the Canadiens due to injury, the award essentially defaults to Condon.

Next: Canadiens Off-Season Target: Kyle Okposo

Condon has received a lot of criticism from Habs fans due to his relatively inconsistent play. A lot of the criticism is justified to an extent. However, he came into camp and beat out Dustin Tokarski as Price’s backup. He was meant to only play around 20-25 games and ended up suiting up for 55.

All told, Condon posted a 21-25-3 record, a .903 SV% and a 2.71 GAA. Not exactly the best numbers in the league but not overly terrible for a goalie who was a year removed from playing in the ECHL.

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