Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

History…

Lady Byng, wife of Canada's Governor-General at the time, presented the Lady Byng Trophy in 1925. After Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won the award seven times in eight seasons, he was given the trophy to keep and Lady Byng donated another trophy in 1936. After Lady Byng's death in 1949, the National Hockey League presented a new trophy, changing the name to the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

The trophy is an annual award given to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

Leading winners: Frank Boucher (7), Wayne Gretzky (5), Red Kelly (4).

Present Day…

This year the eligibility for the award has been expanded to include TNHL players and with the TNHL Commish’s new “Love and be Loved” policy there are sure to be many TNHLers as finalist for the award. Players such as Bob the Love Sponge, Cuddly Craskey and the new Hugs & Kisses Commish are sure to deserve strong consideration.

Unfortunately, not all players in the TNHL have taken advantage of the new eligibility opportunity and haven’t changed their “Old Time Hockey” roots. One TNHLer has already been removed from consideration due to up hauling lack of self discipline. Last Tuesday’s skate saw Sixpack remove himself from consideration with his unprovoked attack on an unsuspecting hockey net. Even though Sixpack is nearly two feet taller then his victim, he knowingly and deliberately let loose his rage and threw the net tumbling over. The net just laid still in fear until other players came to its defense and helped it back into position. This is in clear violation of the new “Love and be Loved” policy instituted by TNHL commish. It is not known what disciplinary action the Commish will take but swift and decisive action is expected. When reached for comment Ogie Oglethrop said “It is a disgrace to the game. This is what happens when they don’t allow the players to police the game. In my day, we’d run the goalie and that would put an end to it”. Not since the days of Dave “Killer Carlson” has there been a demonstration of such goonery in hockey. Dave “Killer “Carlson himself chimed in saying “Sixpack’s problems probably started with bad upbringing in the home”. Sadly to say, this yet another black eye for the game hockey.

-Daddy Pat