PHWA, PHF announce Media Partnership & Women’s Hockey Chapter

BOSTON, MA — The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF), in association with the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA), has announced a new media partnership that includes the PHWA independently voting on an array of PHF annual awards. The partnership began with the introduction of a PHWA Women’s Hockey Chapter that includes 13 inaugural members who cast ballots to determine the PHF’s Most Valuable Player of the 2022-23 season.

“The growth of professional women’s hockey is accelerated with impactful collaborations and increased visibility in the media which make this partnership with the PHWA a win for our sport,” PHF commissioner Reagan Carey said. “We’re proud that the PHWA has recognized a significant opportunity with thePHF and the thriving community of dedicated and talented women’s hockey contributors we’re grateful for. Their influence as part of our awards process is another example of trailblazing initiatives within the PHF and is an important step in the enhancement and amplification of these prestigious honors.”

The PHWA has independently voted on the biggest NHL Awards, including the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke, Lady Byng, and Conn Smythe trophies, each season for more than six decades. The PHWA managed the PHF’s MVP voting process for 2023 and the partnership is expected to expand next season to include other awards that celebrate and honor annual excellence in the game. The PHWA will also have a seat at the table in helping shape the PHF’s media access policy in the near future.

“We are thrilled to witness the growth of women’s hockey, and we’re appreciative of the stability, resources, and leadership that the PHF has demonstrated,” PHWA president Frank Seravalli said. “We are excited to collaborate with the PHF and branch out into a league beyond the NHL for the first time in our organization’s 56-year history. It was time. Our newest members have poured their souls into covering the women’s game like a blanket, and we’re proud to bolster the premier women’s hockey writers on the planet with more support and resources to aid and enhance their coverage.”

Finalists for 2022-23 PHF MVP and other annual league awards will be announced in advance of Sunday’s 2023 Isobel Cup Championship at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, as the Toronto Six meet the Minnesota Whitecaps.

Award recipients will be announced individually following the final.

McKenzie honored with 2015 Elmer Ferguson

Hockey Hall Of Fame announces NHL Media Awards

Scott Burnside, President of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, and Chuck Kaiton, President of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, announced today that Bob McKenzie will receive the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism and Nick Nickson will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

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Portzline earns APSE honor

Columbus Dispatch reporter Aaron Portzline earns first-place award

In the infancy of the 2014-15 season, Aaron Portzline delivered a story that almost seemed impossible. Today, it became an award-winner.

On Nov. 20, 2014, Portzline’s “Blind-sided: Blue Jackets’ Jack Johnson is bankrupt; who led him there is biggest shocker,” rocked the hockey — and sports — world; a hockey player was bankrupt, partially at the hands of his parents.

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Flyers, Stars winners of 2014-15 Dillman Award

Dillman Committee names this season’s top PR staffs.

Zack Hill (center) and the Philadelphia Flyers were named the top PR staff in the Eastern Conference.

The PHWA is proud to announce that the Dallas Stars and Philadelphia Flyers are this season’s recipient of the Dick Dillman Award, given annually to the top PR department in each conference.

The Flyers win ends a two-year streak for Matt Chmura and the Boston Bruins PR department and is Philadelphia’s second Dillman award in four years. The tireless work and constant cooperation of senior director Zack Hill and his staff that includes Joe Siville and Brian Smith in a demanding market earned Philadelphia the recognition of the Dillman committee.

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2013-14 Dillman Award Winners

The Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks were both honored as Dillman Award Winners.

The PHWA would like to recognize and honor the recipients of the 2013-14 Dick Dillman award, given out every year to the top PR departments in each conference.

The Eastern Conference winners were the Boston Bruins and their outstanding staff of Matt Chmura, Eric Tosi, Heidi Holland, Erika Wentzell, Brandon McNelis, Caryn Switaj, Jessica Isner, and Jonathan Gotlib. For the Bruins, it was their third Dillman win in four years.

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Kevin Allen

PHWA President Kevin Allen named Elmer Ferguson winner

Huge congrats to PHWA president Kevin Allen, honored today by the Hockey Hall of Fame as this year’s Elmer Ferguson award winner.

Full details in the press release below from the Hockey Hall of Fame:

TORONTO (June 5, 2014) – Eric Duhatschek, Vice-President, Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, and Chuck Kaiton, President of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, announced today that KEVIN ALLEN will receive the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism and PAT FOLEY will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

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Bill Masterton

Masterton Nominations

The Masterton is awarded to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication,” traits to which almost everyone aspires.

All ballots must have the first, second and third choice for the Masterton winner by the voter. If you simply send only one name, the ballot will be considered spoiled.

The deadline is April 20.

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