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Former Rockets Win NHL Awards

June 23, 2010 - Kelownarockets.com

Two former members of the Kelowna Rockets were honoured Wednesday night at the NHL Awards show held in Las Vegas.

Tyler Myers was selected as the NHL’s rookie of the year, winning the Calder trophy while Duncan Keith was named the Norris trophy winner as the NHL’s top defenceman.

"We as an organization are so proud of these two former Rocket greats, said Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets president and general manager. “What a great day for Duncan and Tyler along with their families. These two epitomize what we believe it is to be a pro hockey player. We hope their time in Kelowna gave them the foot print to further their careers in pro hockey.”

Myers, who led the Rockets to the Memorial Cup last season, burst onto the NHL scene this season. The 6'8", 222-lb. defenseman led the Sabres in ice time per game (23:44) was second on the club in plus-minus (+13) and was fifth in scoring (11-37--48).

“It still hasn’t sunk in,” Myers told NHL.com following his selection. “It’s very exciting. The other two guys could have been up there. To win that award is very special.”

Myers played four seasons with the Rockets including last year when he had 42 points in 58 games and 20 points in 22 playoff games. He received 94 of 133 first-place votes and 1,178 points, outdistancing Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard (778 points) and Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (755).

For Keith, the Norris award capped an amazing year.  He won an Olympic gold with Canada in February and the Stanley Cup with Chicago earlier this month before topping it off with the highest honour a defenceman can receive.

"Its been a whirlwind couple of weeks that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Keith told NHL.com.

Keith played for the Rockets in the 2002-03 campaign, scoring 46 points in 37 regular season games as well as 14 points in 19 playoff games. He received 76 of 133 first-place votes and 1,096 points to edge Mike Green of the Washington Capitals, who garnered 34 first-place votes and 831 points.