Ten years ago, the National Hockey League Players Association renamed the Lester B. Pearson Award, given annually by its membership to the league’s most outstanding player, the Ted Lindsay Award after the iconic ex-Detroit Red Wing, Hall of Famer and players union cornerstone.
Unlike the Hart Trophy, presented by the league to the NHL’s MVP, the Pearson/Lindsay award is voted on by members of the NHLPA, and as a result is said to carry a little more weight with the players.
Canadian rugby star Patrick Parfrey can relate.
Parfrey was recently named the 2019 Rugby Canada senior player of the year, the Canadian Shield Award recipient selected by the Canadian national team players.
The St. John’s native and Swilers RFC veteran was Canada’s starting full-back in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
“It’s a team sport, obviously, and ultimately your goals are always team oriented,” Parfrey said, “but when you’re picked by teammates as one of the better players on the year, and a player who represents Canadian values, it’s quite an honour.
“You go out there and train and play and put it on the line with these guys every day. So to be picked by your peers as the guy who best represents that award … it means a lot.”
Parfrey made his World Cup debut in Japan, appearing in three games for the national eam.
Ciaran Hearn of C.B.S. also played for Canada, his third World Cup after donning the Maple Leaf in the 2011 event in New Zealand and the 2015 championship in England.
Canada went 0-3 in Japan, after losing its opening game to Italy and a pair of starts to rugby powerhouses New Zealand and South Africa.
Canada’s final game of the World Cup against Namibia was cancelled because of a typhoon which hit the area.
Instead of playing, the Canadian players and staff members pitched in and helped with cleanup efforts.
Parfrey also played some professional rugby last year with Major League Rugby’s Toronto Arrows.
He hopes to see some playing time with the Arrows next season, assuming there is a next season with the pandemic and all.
“I’m biting at the bit to play again,” he said. “My last game was at the World Cup.”
In the meantime, Parfrey is training with his Swilers teammates, and going through the process of applying to Memorial University’s Medical School.
Robin Short is The Telegram’s Sports Editor. He can be reached by email [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @TelyRobinShort
