Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Hawgood named top IHL defender

Obviously, the Thunder knew what it was doing when it pursued Greg Hawgood so doggedly last summer.

General manager Bob Strumm believed he would have the IHL's best man on defense if he acquired Haw good. His pro phecy was accurate as the league Thursday named the veteran its recipient of the Governors' Trophy.

It marked the second straight year the honor went to a Las Vegas player. In 1994-95, Todd Richards was selected the outstanding defenseman.

"It's nice to win it," said Hawgood, who had 20 goals and 85 points and captained the top team in the league. "I'm sure the team's success worked heavily in my favor. I've been fortunate to play with some great players here."

Strumm said the honor was well deserved.

"We felt very strongly that he'd be in that area," he said of Hawgood being among the IHL's elite blueliners. "But he fulfilled our expectations. He deserved it."

Hawgood said his main concern was playing well and helping the team win.

"I obviously wanted to have a good year," he said. "I felt I had a well-rounded year and if I didn't win it, I wouldn't have crawled in a hole or anything. All you can do is try to play well every night."

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