The Boston Bruins announced the winner of the 7th Player Award on Saturday afternoon. The award, which is given to a Bruins player "who exceeds expectations and goes above and beyond the call of duty." It's the 50th anniversary of the honor, having been given since the 1968-69 season when Ed Westphal took home the honors.
This year, Walpole, Mass., native Chris Wagner is the winner. Wagner, in his first year with the Bruins after spending time with the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, and New York Islanders in the first five years of his career, has been a versatile spark for the team as a bottom-six winger.
Wagner has set career-high marks in goals (12) and points (18) through 74 games. He was a key member of one of the strongest fourth-line combinations with Sean Kuraly and Noel Acciari earlier in the season. Since then, has been promoted to the third line and has found success playing alongside his former South Shore Kings teammate, Charlie Coyle.
Wagner is the sixth player on the Bruins' active roster to have won the 7th Player Award. He joins David Krejci, Tuukka Rask, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Charlie McAvoy. Both Marchand and Pastrnak have won the award twice.
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