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Cutthroats Score Big in CHL’s Annual “Best of the Best” Poll

The Denver Cutthroats were honored by their peer franchises today in the Central Hockey League’s annual “Best of the Best” poll.

By Cheryl Bradley
Hector Acevedo/Denver Cutthroats

DENVER – Every season representatives from the league office and each of the CHL’s member franchises vote for the top three teams in 50 separate categories to recognize the best the CHL has to offer both on and off the ice.

The expansion Cutthroats finished in the top three in 15 of the 50 total categories, including being named the CHL’s best in five of them. Only the Missouri Mavericks and Wichita Thunder finished first in more categories than the Cutthroats.

Denver’s forward line of AJ Gale, Troy Schwab, and Brad Smyth were each recognized for the successful season they have put together so far as Gale was named in the top three for Best Overall Player (second), Fastest Skater (second), Best Stickhandler (third), and Best Shooter in Shootouts (third). Schwab finished third in the Fastest Skater category behind Gale. Smyth was voted third in the Best Power Forward category and second as the league’s Best Leader.

Gale (74 pts.), Schwab (74 pts.), and Smyth (71 pts.) are three of the top seven players in the league’s overall scoring race. Gale is a finalist for the CHL’s Most Valuable Player award, leading the league with 38 goals on the season.

Adam Smyth was voted first under the Most Annoying Player category. Colorado Springs native Luke Fulghum finished second as the Best Shooter in Shootouts ahead of Gale. Fulghum is 5-of-11 this season in shootout attempts. Gale is 3-of-6.

The recognition for the team increased off the ice as the Cutthroats were voted first as the Best Team Logo and second in the Best Team Uniforms category. The club’s logo, color scheme, and uniforms were designed by the Denver-based company Adrenalin.

Jim Hudson was voted second as the league’s Best Public Address Announcer and Denver was named the Best City in the CHL.

The Cutthroats were also named among the best in the media-based categories as the team finished first for Best Website and second for Best Game Notes and Best Use of Social Media. After finishing as the runner-up each of the past three seasons, Cutthroats broadcast voice Brien Rea was voted as the league’s Best Broadcaster.

For the complete results visit http://www.denvercutthroats.com.

Article courtesy of Denver Cutthroats