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Radim Vrbata named Canucks MVP and most exciting player
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Thomas Drance
Apr 11, 2015, 22:45 EDTUpdated: Invalid DateTime
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Photo Credit: Bob Frid/USA TODAY Sports
Before Saturday night’s glorified preseason contest against the Edmonton Oilers the club handed out their annual team awards. Like he was competing in a steely eyed glare competition, Radim Vrbata cleaned up.
Let’s look a bit closer at who won which award after the jump.
Fred. J Hume Unsung Hero Award

Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports
Recently extended Vancouver Canucks winger Derek Dorsett took home the unsung hero award. Though he’s plenty sung (and well paid) for his efforts, you can’t argue with the effort and grit he’s brought to the club on a nightly basis. One of just seven players this season who have fought at least 10 times, Dorsett’s 17 bouts are second to Colorado Avalanche forward Cody McLeod this season. He’s also played out of position on his off-wing, played mostly with very young pivots (Bo Horvat and Linden Vey), led the club in shorthanded goals and has managed to score at a third-line rate in fourth-line minutes at 5-on-5.

Babe Pratt award for best defenseman


Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Tanev edged out Alex Edler to be named Vancouver’s best defenseman. A super elite penalty killer, no defenseman has had as large an impact on their club’s unblocked shot differential as Tanev has this season. Based on his on-ice results, his shot blocking ability, and his ability to matchup against the opposition’s best and win the territorial matchup consistently, there’s a convincing argument to be made that Tanev was the single best defensive defenseman in hockey this season.

MVP and Pavel Bure most exciting player award


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30-plus goals, some actual honest to goodness media attention, an invite to the NHL All-Star game, and now he’s the Canucks’ MVP and most exciting player as voted on by the fans. Some season Vrbata has had.
The Canucks’ leading scorer has been an efficient offensive force no matter where he’s played in the lineup. Whether he’s confusing opponents with the twins, punching up Vacouver’s second forward line or drawing up new sets for the power play – Vrbata has been an outrageously valuable offensive contributor.

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