Posted on Wednesday, March 9th, 2011 at 6:00 am
The three-man shortlist for the Elite League’s defenceman of the year for the 2010/11 season has been revealed following nominations from the coaches of all 10 clubs. The Giants own Jon Gleed is one of three nominees, along with Craig Weller from the Cardiff Devils and Jon Landry from the Braehead Clan.
Canadian Jon Gleed has been part of Belfast Giants’ quest for three trophies. The 27-year-old has helped Belfast reach the final of the Challenge Cup and contend for the Elite League title going into the final few weeks of the season. He logs more ice time than any other player on the Giants squad this season, is a mainstay on the 2nd best powerplay in the league and is a key penalty killer as well. In 51 games so far, he has 9 goals and 26 assists for 35 points to lead all Giants defenders in scoring as well as leading the team in penalty minutes with 105.
Cardiff Devils blueliner Craig Weller has been one of the standout players in the Elite League. The former NHL’er has scored at over a point-per-game with the Devils in contention for their first Elite League title, while Jon Landry of the Braehead Clan has also scored at over a point-per-game and helped the Scottish side break into the top half of the Elite League table.
Gleed is the second Giant to be shortlisted for an Elite League award, after Murphy was announced as a nominee for goaltender of the year earlier this week. All of the award winners will be revealed at the annual Elite League Awards Dinner on Friday 1st April at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel.
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