NEWS AND MEDIA

RBK Hockey Player Pavel Datsyuk Wins Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

28 Jun 2006

Montreal, Quebec (Canada), June 28, 2006 - RBK Hockey would like to congratulate Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings on winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the player determined to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, combined with a high standard of playing ability.

The highly regarded Russian-born player was named on 94 of 128 ballots and received 41 first-place votes for a total of 669 points, finishing well ahead of the other nominees. During the 2005-06 regular NHL season, he led the Red Wings in scoring with 28 goals, 59 assists and 87 points, the highest total by a Detroit player since 1996-97.   Datsyuk finished tied for 17th place amongst all NHL players in points while only suiting up for 75 games.

Throughout his career Pavel has always been recognized as a player who respects his opponents and also the rules set forth by the game.  He has played in a total of 284 games during regular season play in the NHL, yet he has only recorded 77 penalty minutes during those games.  At the same time he has always played at a very elite level, registering 241 points over his career to date.  

"With his great sense of civility, Pavel has drawn respect from coaches, teammates, opponents, and fans across the league", said Len Rhodes, Vice President of Global Marketing at RBK Hockey. "We are proud to have such a genuine player and authentic individual amongst our RBK team of select players."

It is a good bet that the smooth skating and slick handed Datsyuk will continue to amaze NHL fans all across North America with his dazzling on-ice imagination for many years to come.

About the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.

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 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.