Las Vegas, NV  It was a couple of hectic days at Las Vegas and the trophies have officially been handed out.  Not surprisingly,  Tim Thomas claimed the Vezina once again and of course Carolina rookie Jeff Skinner was awarded the Calder. All the winners, as well as the candidates who came up short, were totally classy and showed nothing but respect for each other. 

But other than the classiness shown by the players, a couple of other things impressed me during my stay in "Sin City". 

First of all, hockey fans never cease to amaze.  They were everywhere.  In the lobbies, the hallways, the sidewalks, the pool, and walking around the casino floors.  They were carrying jerseys, photos, cards, hats, and cameras.  They were waiting hours ahead of time for the red carpet walk.   And they all had smiles.

Fans from all over the league were there, from Vancouver, Boston, Winnipeg, Carolina, and yes, I even saw a Thrashers shirt. 

On the hotel elevator a day before the show,  I met a happy young boy who was proudly wearing a brand new Awards hat, already covered with autographs.  As he told me each player who had signed, his mother said that the players were all so gracious and so great to the kids that she saw asking.  

Hockey fans might be outnumbered by some of the other sports, but I'll always believe they are the most passionate fans out there, and they proved that to me once again in Vegas.

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Las Vegas, NV Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner accomplished what no other player in franchise history has been able to accomplish, he was voted as the NHL's top rookie and was awarded the Calder Trophy.

Skinner thanked his teammates and the Hurricanes organization, but most importantly to him, he thanked his family. 

The final tally was a close one as Skinner picked up a total of 1055 points while Logan Couture collected 908, and Michael Grabner had 497.  Skinner had a better percentage of first place votes though as his 71 first place votes almost doubled second place Couture's 41. 

All I can add at this point is that it could not have happened to a more deserving person or player.  Video of his press conference is after the jump. 

I'll have my final thoughts about this hectic two days sometime on Thursday.

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Las Vegas, NV  Carolina Hurricanes rookie Jeff Skinner was barely in town six hours, but local Las Vegas media already knew enough about the teenage sensation that they had the typical questions all ready to go.  Connection with seventeen.com? check.  Justin Bieber analogy? check.  Playing in the NHL as an 18-year-old?  check. 

Of course, the young superstar handled all the questions with a smile and relative ease. 

Yesterday, the NHL held a session for media availability with candidates for their Awards Show and Skinner's podium was packed with reporters, both local and out-of-towners.  When asked what he had planned to do during his stay, he replied, "That's up to my parents, I guess."

After that, he was actually asked "to do" some Justin Bieber, to which he laughed,  "I don't have the voice, I'm sorry."

Skinner has been very busy this offseason, first playing for Team Canada in the World Championships, and most recently working out with fitness guru, Gary Roberts.  The youngster also worked out with Roberts last summer and had nothing but positive to say about the program.

"It's great," Skinner said when asked about it.  "It's cutting edge, some of what he's doing.  And the atmosphere is great.  When you're in a gym with a bunch of guys at the same level and competing against each other, and pushing each other, I think that helps to make it special."

The Calder Candidate also had good things to say about his experience with seventeen.com.  The website for the popular girl's magazine allowed readers to vote on which suit Skinner would wear to the Awards Show.  Skinner said that he felt it was a good idea. 

"It was different, and pretty cool, and I'm glad I had the chance to do it," he said.

No secrets were revealed about the winning suit yet. 

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