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Posted March 17, 2002
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Best of West profile: Spokane's Brandin Cote Best of West pays little respect to Ams By René Ferrán It is perhaps the most appropriate statement the Tri-City Americans' Western Conference rivals could have made about their season. The Americans won only one category in the 14th annual Best of the West poll. The winner: Eric Johansson. The category: Most Underrated Player. Perfect. Johansson, a 2000 eighth-round draft choice of the Minnesota Wild, who just happens to lead the conference in scoring (44 goals, 55 assists), is considered underrated by his peers. In a season that started with Tri-Cities jokingly picked 20th by one Western Hockey League scribe - behind an expansion team (Everett) that won't drop a puck for several more seasons - it's fitting that their lone Best of the West win would come in the underrated category. "Just keep it coming," said Tri-City coach Troy Mick. "We've been 20th in everyone's eyes all year, and yet we get to the 30-win plateau. We've been the underdogs, and we love that title." Four players were multiple winners in this year's poll, including Portland's Joe Balej, who took home three titles - Best Skater, Hardest Shot and Most Accurate Shot. Prince George's Dan Hamhuis and Spokane's Brandin Côté and Kurt Sauer won two apiece. Côté was named Top Faceoff Man for the third year running (see story, D8). As for Johansson, who was runner-up in the Most Underrated balloting a year ago, he just appreciates getting some recognition from his Western brethren. "It feels good that my peers would think that highly of me, even if maybe some of the scouts don't," said Johansson, who shattered his previous career highs in goals (36) and assists (44). Among those would be the Wild scouts who took Johansson out to dinner earlier this week. Johansson, who must sign with Minnesota by June 1 or re-enter the NHL draft, didn't get the impression that signing him was a top priority. "There was no talk about signing, just about my playing," Johansson said. "They told me the same thing as usual - just take care of my own end and the offense will come." |
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