The Hamilton Bulldogs are pleased to announce the members of the 'Hamilton Spectator All-Decade Team'. Fans voted over a period of four weeks from a list of nominees that included nine forwards, six defencemen, three goalies, three enforcers and two coaches.
The 'Hamilton Spectator All-Decade Team' consists of head coach Claude Julien; forwards Jeff Daw, Tomas Plekanec, and Jason Ward; defencemen Marc-Andre Bergeron and Mike Komisarek; goaltender Steve Passmore; and enforcer Georges Laraque.
During the Bulldogs game tonight against the Toronto Marlies (Copps Coliseum, 7:30 p.m.), the All-Decade Team will be honoured in a banner-raising ceremony. Video and audio from members of the team will be played during tonight's game and Jeff Daw will be signing autographs during the first intermission on the lower concourse beside the Funzone.
One lucky fan who submitted a ballot will win a trip for four (4) to watch the 2006-07 Montreal Canadiens Home Opener including travel and accommodations.
The Bulldogs will wear special jerseys tonight commemorating the team's 10th Anniversary Season. Jerseys worn in the game will be featured in a silent auction during the game on the Copps Coliseum Concourse.Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Hamilton Bulldogs Youth Fund. In addition, there will be a one-of-a-kind team-autographed #10 jersey raffled off with the proceeds being donated in support of the Porto Family Scholarship Fund.
Below are bios of the 'Hamilton Spectator All-Decade Team'.
HEAD COACH
Claude Julien
Julien was head coach of Hamilton from 2000-02, and part of the 2002-03 season. Julien compiled an all-time record of 98-77-19-11. He led the Bulldogs to a third round of the Calder Cup Playoffs in the 2001-2002 season. Julien had a 33-6-3-3 record with Hamilton before being named head coach of the Montreal Canadiens in January of 2003. Julien was named co-winner, along with Geoff Ward, of the Louis A.R. Pieri award as AHL Coach of the Year in 2003.
FORWARDS
Jeff Daw
An original Bulldog, Daw spent three seasons in Hamilton from 1996-1999. The Carlisle, Ontario native led the 'Dogs in scoring in 1997-98, recording 63 points (28 goals, 35 assists) in 79 games. Daw ranks eighth all-time with 201 games played and seventh overall with 129 points (57 goals, 72 assists). He scored three overtime goals during his tenure with the Bulldogs, which is the most in franchise history.
Tomas Plekanec
Plekanec spent three full seasons in Hamilton from 2002-2005. The native of Kladno, Czech Republic led the Bulldogs in scoring in each of his last two seasons, collecting 66 points (23 goals, 43 assists) in 2003-04 and 64 points (29 goals, 35 assists) in 2004-05. Plekanec ranks second behind Brian Swanson in all-time scoring with 176 points (71 goals, 105 assists). He ranks third on the team's games played list (231) and is tied with Swanson for the Bulldogs' all-time goal scoring lead with 71.
Jason Ward
Ward spent three seasons in Hamilton from 2002-2005, taking part in 148 games. He is the only Bulldog in franchise history to win the Les Cunningham award as League MVP, which he captured in 2003. The native of Chapleau, Ontario ranks seventh all-time in points with 129 (51 goals, 78 assists). Ward is the all-time leader in playoff goals (12), and ranks second in playoff points (21). He was named to the AHL's First All-Star Team in 2002-2003 and took part in the 2003 AHL All-Star Game.
DEFENCEMEN
Marc-Andre Bergeron
Bergeron played two seasons with the Bulldogs from 2001-03. The native of St. Louisde France, Quebec ranks sixth all-time among defencemen in scoring with 54 points (10 goals, 44 assists). Bergeron is second all-time in game-winning goals by defencemen with three. He ranks third all-time in plus/minus with a +38 rating. Bergeron was named to the AHL's Second All-Star Team in 2002-2003.
Mike Komisarek
Komisarek spent parts of three seasons with Hamilton from 2002-2005, playing in 94 games. The West Islip, New York native ranks eighth all-time in scoring among defencemen with 44 points (eight goals, 36 assists). The 6'4" blue-liner ranks fourth all-time in plus/minus with a +33 rating and is ninth all-time in penalty minutes by defencemen with 175. He played in the 2003 AHL All-Star Game.
GOALTENDER
Steve Passmore
Passmore led the Bulldogs to the 1997 Calder Cup Finals versus the Hershey Bears. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native spent parts of three seasons with Hamilton from 1996-99. Passmore sits on top of the Bulldogs all-time wins list with 47 victories. He was the recipient of the AHL Fred T. Hunt award in 1996-1997. Passmore was named to the AHL's Second All-Star Team in 1998-1999.
ENFORCER
Georges Laraque
An original Bulldog, Laraque spent three seasons in Hamilton from 1996-1999. The native of Montreal, Quebec sits fourth all-time in career penalty minutes with 426. Over his career, Laraque totaled 78 points (30 goals, 48 assists) in 144 games with Hamilton.