George Awada
Encyclopedia
George Awada is an American
former professional ice hockey
player.
Awada's career began at junior level in the USHL
, icing for the St. Paul Vulcans. Awada started well and in his first season as a Vulcan managed 38 points in 47 games. His points return would again improve for the following season, 1994–95, with 54 points in 42 games, well over a point a game average.
This potential was noticed and Awada moved into NCAA hockey the following year, playing for St. Cloud State University
in his native Minnesota. Awada would stay in St. Cloud for four seasons despite only managing 13 points in his first two terms. This would change for the 1997–98 and 1998–99 seasons and Awada again found his point scoring touch. In his final season for St. Cloud, Awada would ice alongside future NHL
player Tyler Arnason
.
Awada's improvement in point scoring was noticed and he was chosen to play at AHL
level for the Albany River Rats
, where he would finish the 1998–99 season, featuring in 10 games and scoring 8 points. He was kept on for the following season, and became a first team regular, icing in 63 games and helping out with 16 points along the way. Despite establishing himself as a first team player, Awada moved to the lower ECHL
standard for the 2000–01 season, and became a Richmond Renegades
player. He would instantly establish himself as a regular, and in 72 regular season games scored 41 points, helping the Renegades into the post season.
Awada would start the 2001–02 season in Richmond, but after just two games moved to the New Orleans Brass
, ECHL rivals of the Renegades. Awada's improvement would continue and it would prove to be his most productive season at ECHL level, comfortably breaking the 50 point barrier. Awada would again reach this milestone the following season, this time for the Florida Everblades
.
Awada would choose to make a significant move in the summer of 2003, flying across the Atlantic to play for the Manchester Phoenix
, a then newly established organisation playing in the EIHL, the highest standard of ice hockey in the U.K.
. Awada quickly became a key player for the Phoenix, and scored 48 points in 52 regular season games. Despite making the post-season, the Phoenix organisation would be dogged by financial troubles and would be suspended in the summer of 2004.
Despite this, Awada remained in the EIHL, signing for the Belfast Giants
. Again he would become a fan favourite and a regular point scorer. Awada has remained with the Giants for four seasons to date and in the process has been named club captain. With his 194 points for the Giants in 187 regular season EIHL games he has been a major factor in their successes and as captain lifted the EIHL league title in the 2005–06 season.
Awada remained as Giants captain until the 2009-10 season when injury forced him out for much of the season and was replaced by Colin Shields
. Awada retired at the end of the 2009-10 season.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player.
Awada's career began at junior level in the USHL
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
, icing for the St. Paul Vulcans. Awada started well and in his first season as a Vulcan managed 38 points in 47 games. His points return would again improve for the following season, 1994–95, with 54 points in 42 games, well over a point a game average.
This potential was noticed and Awada moved into NCAA hockey the following year, playing for St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher...
in his native Minnesota. Awada would stay in St. Cloud for four seasons despite only managing 13 points in his first two terms. This would change for the 1997–98 and 1998–99 seasons and Awada again found his point scoring touch. In his final season for St. Cloud, Awada would ice alongside future NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player Tyler Arnason
Tyler Arnason
Tyler Arnason is an American professional ice hockey center who is currently a Free Agent. He most recently played with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League. He has previously played in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and the Colorado...
.
Awada's improvement in point scoring was noticed and he was chosen to play at AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
level for the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
, where he would finish the 1998–99 season, featuring in 10 games and scoring 8 points. He was kept on for the following season, and became a first team regular, icing in 63 games and helping out with 16 points along the way. Despite establishing himself as a first team player, Awada moved to the lower ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
standard for the 2000–01 season, and became a Richmond Renegades
Richmond Renegades
The Richmond Renegades was a SPHL ice hockey team in Richmond, Virginia. The team, owned by Allan B. Harvie Jr., the founder of the former ECHL Renegades franchise, began play in October 2006 at the Richmond Coliseum. The team's first head coach was John Brophy...
player. He would instantly establish himself as a regular, and in 72 regular season games scored 41 points, helping the Renegades into the post season.
Awada would start the 2001–02 season in Richmond, but after just two games moved to the New Orleans Brass
New Orleans Brass
The New Orleans Brass was a hockey team in the ECHL from 1997-2002. The team was at one time affiliated with the San Jose Sharks. Home games were played first at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium and then at the New Orleans Arena....
, ECHL rivals of the Renegades. Awada's improvement would continue and it would prove to be his most productive season at ECHL level, comfortably breaking the 50 point barrier. Awada would again reach this milestone the following season, this time for the Florida Everblades
Florida Everblades
The Florida Everblades are an ECHL ice hockey team playing in the Southeast Division. The team is based in Estero, Florida and plays at Germain Arena . The team has existed since 1998...
.
Awada would choose to make a significant move in the summer of 2003, flying across the Atlantic to play for the Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix
Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in...
, a then newly established organisation playing in the EIHL, the highest standard of ice hockey in the U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Awada quickly became a key player for the Phoenix, and scored 48 points in 52 regular season games. Despite making the post-season, the Phoenix organisation would be dogged by financial troubles and would be suspended in the summer of 2004.
Despite this, Awada remained in the EIHL, signing for the Belfast Giants
Belfast Giants
The Belfast Giants are an ice hockey team from Belfast, Northern Ireland that compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Home games are played at the 7,100-capacity Odyssey Arena in Belfast....
. Again he would become a fan favourite and a regular point scorer. Awada has remained with the Giants for four seasons to date and in the process has been named club captain. With his 194 points for the Giants in 187 regular season EIHL games he has been a major factor in their successes and as captain lifted the EIHL league title in the 2005–06 season.
Awada remained as Giants captain until the 2009-10 season when injury forced him out for much of the season and was replaced by Colin Shields
Colin Shields
Colin Shields is a Scottish ice hockey player currently playing for Pingouins de Morzine-Avoriaz of the Ligue Magnus in France.-Early career:...
. Awada retired at the end of the 2009-10 season.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1993–94 | St. Paul Vulcans | USHL United States Hockey League The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger... |
47 | 19 | 19 | 38 | 71 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1994–95 | St. Paul Vulcans | USHL United States Hockey League The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger... |
42 | 20 | 34 | 54 | 51 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1995–96 | St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher... |
NCAA | 22 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 16 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1996–97 | St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher... |
NCAA | 35 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 26 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1997–98 | St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher... |
NCAA | 38 | 15 | 14 | 29 | 74 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1998–99 | St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University St. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher... |
NCAA | 39 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 38 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1998–99 | Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1999–00 | Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
63 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | Richmond Renegades Richmond Renegades The Richmond Renegades was a SPHL ice hockey team in Richmond, Virginia. The team, owned by Allan B. Harvie Jr., the founder of the former ECHL Renegades franchise, began play in October 2006 at the Richmond Coliseum. The team's first head coach was John Brophy... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
72 | 18 | 23 | 41 | 49 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 2001–02 | Richmond Renegades Richmond Renegades The Richmond Renegades was a SPHL ice hockey team in Richmond, Virginia. The team, owned by Allan B. Harvie Jr., the founder of the former ECHL Renegades franchise, began play in October 2006 at the Richmond Coliseum. The team's first head coach was John Brophy... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2001–02 | New Orleans Brass New Orleans Brass The New Orleans Brass was a hockey team in the ECHL from 1997-2002. The team was at one time affiliated with the San Jose Sharks. Home games were played first at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium and then at the New Orleans Arena.... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
70 | 29 | 30 | 59 | 87 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03 | Florida Everblades Florida Everblades The Florida Everblades are an ECHL ice hockey team playing in the Southeast Division. The team is based in Estero, Florida and plays at Germain Arena . The team has existed since 1998... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
72 | 21 | 29 | 50 | 67 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04 | Manchester Phoenix Manchester Phoenix Manchester Phoenix are a professional ice hockey team from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in... |
EIHL | 52 | 23 | 25 | 48 | 72 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05 | Belfast Giants Belfast Giants The Belfast Giants are an ice hockey team from Belfast, Northern Ireland that compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Home games are played at the 7,100-capacity Odyssey Arena in Belfast.... |
EIHL | 30 | 19 | 15 | 34 | 32 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 14 | ||
| 2005–06 | Belfast Giants Belfast Giants The Belfast Giants are an ice hockey team from Belfast, Northern Ireland that compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Home games are played at the 7,100-capacity Odyssey Arena in Belfast.... |
EIHL | 43 | 22 | 30 | 52 | 80 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | Belfast Giants Belfast Giants The Belfast Giants are an ice hockey team from Belfast, Northern Ireland that compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Home games are played at the 7,100-capacity Odyssey Arena in Belfast.... |
EIHL | 54 | 28 | 26 | 54 | 130 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2007–08 | Belfast Giants Belfast Giants The Belfast Giants are an ice hockey team from Belfast, Northern Ireland that compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Home games are played at the 7,100-capacity Odyssey Arena in Belfast.... |
EIHL | 60 | 22 | 32 | 54 | 89 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2008–09 | Belfast Giants Belfast Giants The Belfast Giants are an ice hockey team from Belfast, Northern Ireland that compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Home games are played at the 7,100-capacity Odyssey Arena in Belfast.... |
EIHL | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Career Totals | 751 | 268 | 307 | 575 | 919 | 32 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 30 | ||||
- League statistics only, not including cup competitions, correct to 22/07/08
External links
- George Awada Personal Profile, Manchester Phoenix Official Website.
- George Awada Personal Profile, Belfast Giants Official Website.
- Giants Complete Roster, Elite League Official Website, 22/07/08