MAY , 1948
BURNS WINS THIRD STRAIGHT MCDANIELS TROPHY
For the third year in a row Tommy Burns of the Chicago Packers was named the most valuable player in the NAHC. The 28-year-old center tied a long-standing NAHC record with 47 goals this season while leading the league in scoring for the second consecutive season and was rewarded with his third McDaniels Trophy. He joins Wilbur Chandler of the Boston Bees as the only three-time winners of the McDaniels Trophy, which has been presented annually since the 1924-25 campaign. Chandler and New York Shamrocks center Orval Cabbell were the other nominees for the award.
Burns' Chicago teammate Norm Hanson was named the winner of the Al Juneau Trophy, awarded annually to the top goaltender, after beating out fellow finalists Gordie Broadway of Toronto and Boston's Tom Brockers. Hanson's 2.61 goals against average was lowest in the league this season and his 27-20-6 record helped the Packers to a first place finish in the regular season. He had 2 shutouts in the playoffs but his Packers were uspet in 5 games by the New York Shamrocks in the semi-finals.
The rookie of the year award, the Harvey McLeod Trophy, went to Nick Tardif of the Detroit Motors, who outpointed teammate Adam Vanderbilt and Boston's Mickey Bedard for the honour. The 22-year-old had 19 goals and 43 points while suiting up for all 60 of Detroit's games this season. Tardif becomes the third Motors player to win the award in its 12 year history, following Alexander Viens four years ago and Edgar Mount in 1939-40.
OTHER HEADLINES THIS WEEK
- Sig Stofer of the Washington Eagles and Red Bond of the Chicago Cougars have each hit 7 homeruns after just two weeks of play in big league baseball.
- The two pro cage leagues are on to the semi-finals as the playoffs continue.
- Heavyweight Scott "The Chef" Baker, the pride of Philadelphia, may just have his career back on track after knocking out Chris Sullivan at the Keystone Arena.
- Egyptian troops are heading to Palestine as the battle for the Holy Land heats up. The Jewish Agency demanded firm action by the United Nations to halt the invasion.
- Marshall law was declared in Athens after violent protests ignited by communists escalated.
- Stating the opening face of any future war would be determined in the air, and warning the US was at risk of being attacked without warning, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 16 to 1 in favor of building up the Air Force from 55 to 70 group strength.
Full national sports coverage is available in this week's edition of
THIS WEEK IN FIGMENT BASEBALL.