Best Game
-    Twins beat Tigers in Extra Innings (AL Central)
-    Canada over USA (Olympic Hockey Gold Medal)
-    Duke over Butler (NCAA Championship)

Performance Under Pressure Award
-    Sidney Crosby in Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Game
-    Landon Donovan in World Cup v Algeria
-    Brett Favre in his return to Green Bay
-    Stephen Strasburg in MLB debut

Best NHL Player
-    Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
-    Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres)
-    Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
-    Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)
-    Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay)

Best Male College Athlete
-    Blake Geoffrion (Wisconsin Hockey)
-    Mark Ingram (Alabama Football)
-    Evan Turner (Ohio State Basketball)
-    John Wall (Kentucky Basketball)
-    Garrett Wittels (Florida International Basketball)

Joseph, known for his mask that featured a snarling dog inspired by Stephen King’s Cujo, entered the NHL in 1989 as a free agent signed by the St Louis Blues, though he gained recognition with the Edmonton Oilers, helping them to their first playoff win in years.  He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes, and Calgary Flames before finishing off with his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  He was also a member of the 2002 Canadian Winter Olympic team that took the gold medal.

Over his 19-year career, he was a three time NHL All Star, picked up the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an Olympic gold medal, the Spengler Cup, and 454 victories.

In a new conference on Tuesday, Joseph said that he had a “great career” and he “didn’t leave anything on the table.”  So now, CuJo is onto to newer things and perhaps a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.  But the game must go on.  Monday night will see another exciting lineup of teams battling it out for a spot in the postseason.  I’m particularly looking forward to the Buffalo/Phoenix game, as these are two teams that have been pretty impressive to say the least.  Plus, the Maple Leafs (CuJo’s final NHL team) will take to the ice against the Nashville Predators.  Don’t forget to check out all of the Monday night action at BetUS:

New Jersey Devils v New York Islanders
Puck Line
Devils: -1 ½ +220
Islanders: +1 ½ -260
Moneyline
Devils: -135
Islanders: +115

Buffalo Sabres v Phoenix Coyotes
Moneyline
Sabres: -110
Coyotes: -110

Tampa Bay Lightening v Carolina Hurricanes
Puck Line
Lightening: +1 ½ -260
Hurricanes: -1 ½ +220
Moneyline
Lightening: +120
Hurricanes: -140

St Louis Blues v Columbus Blue Jackets
Puck Line
Blues: +1 ½ -270
Blue Jackets: -1 ½ +230
Moneyline
Blues: +105
Blue Jackets: -125

Toronto Maple Leafs v Nashville Predators
Puck Line
Maple Leafs: +1 ½ -210
Predators: -1 ½ +170
Moneyline
Maple Leafs: +160
Predators: -190

Minnesota Wild v Dallas Stars
Puck Line
Wild: +1 ½ -250
Stars: -1 ½ +210
Moneyline
Wild: +120
Stars: -140

Edmonton Oilers v Colorado Avalanche
Puck Line
Oilers: +1 ½ -175
Avalanche: -1 ½ +155
Moneyline
Oilers: +165
Avalanche: -200

BRETT HULL
This guy hardly needs an introduction as he is considered by many hockey fans to be one of the greatest players of all time.  Brett Hull, son of Bobby Hull, started his NHL career in 1986.  During his 20 years on the ice, he played for the Calgary Flames, St Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Phoenix Coyotes.  He amassed 741 goals (3rd all-time), 650 assists (48th all-time), 1391 points (19th all-time) and played 1269 games (43rd all-time).  He scored 50 goals in 50 games twice in his career - a feat that only he and Wayne Gretzky have pulled off multiple times.  He won the Lady Byng Trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy, The Lester B Pearson Award, and two Stanley Cups.

STEVE YZERMAN
Many will remember Steve Yzerman simply as “The Captain”.  He joined the NHL in 1983 and played his entire career with the Detroit Red Wings.  During the 1986-87 season, Yzerman was named captain of the team and remained there for the next two decades, thus becoming the longest serving captain of any North American major league sporting team.  It was this tenure that gave him his nickname.  Over his 23-year career, he won the Lester B Pearson Award, the Conn Smythe Trophy, the Frank J Selke Trophy, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the Lester Patrick Trophy, and four Stanley Cups.  He retired having scored 692 goals (8th all-time), 1063 assists (7th all-time), 1755 points (6th all-time), and 1514 games (12th all-time).

LUC ROBITAILLE
Luc Robitaille is perhaps most well known for his fourteen seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, but he played forward for more teams than one.  He joined the NHL in 1986, and during his 20 years on the ice, he played for the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers.  He retired in 2006 as the highest scoring left winger in the NHL.  During his career, he gathered 688 goals (10th all-time), 726 assists (44th all-time), 1394 points (20th all-time), and played in 1431 games (20th all-time).   He was also awarded the Calder memorial Trophy, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Aquatic Foundation of Metropolitan Los Angeles, 2007 Great Ones Award from the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation, and one Stanley Cup.

BRIAN LEETCH
Brian Leetch is the only defenseman in the Class of 2009 and is thought of by many as one of the best defensive players in NHL history.  He is especially remembered for his skating and playmaking abilities.  He joined the NHL in 1987, and played for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins.  During his 18-season career he played 1205 games, amassed 247 goals, 781 assists (33rd all-time), and 1028 points.  He was also awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy twice, the Calder Memorial Trophy, the HS Player of the Year, HS Rookie of the Year, HS MVP Award, and is the only American player to be awarded the Con Smythe Trophy.

LOU LAMORIELLO
Many people know Lou Lamoriello as the CEO, president, and general manager for the New Jersey Devils and for good reason.  He joined the franchise in 1987 and has earned the honor of being the longest serving GM in the league with a single franchise.  He also briefly served as the team’s coach from 2005-2007.  When Lamoriello joined the Devils, he seemingly turned the team around, helping them post their first winning season in franchise history.  During his 20 year stint, the team has made it to the playoffs in all but two seasons, and appeared in four Stanley Cup finals - three of which they won.

Congrats to all inductees this year.

And now we jump from legends to legends in the making.  Don’t forget to check out all of the NHL action going on this week and be sure to put down a wager at BetUS as they will be offering odds on all of these upcoming games:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

• Sabres @ Capitals
• Maple Leafs @ Lightning
• Senators @ Devils
• Flyers @ Islanders
• Canadiens @ Penguins
• Rangers @ Panthers
• Thrashers @ Red Wings
• Bruins @ Wild
• Blues @ Stars
• Predators @ Avalanche
• Kings @ Oilers
• Coyotes @ Flames
• Hurricanes @ Ducks
• Blackhawks @ Sharks

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26

• Blue Jackets @ Senators
• Kings @ Canucks

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27

• Devils @ Bruins
• Sabres @ Flyers
• Avalanche @ Wild
• Penguins @ Islanders
• Blackhawks @ Ducks
• Thrashers @ Hurricanes
• Maple Leafs @ Panthers
• Flames @ Red Wings
• Rangers @ Lightning
• Blues @ Predators
• Sharks @ Oilers
• Stars @ Coyotes

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28

• Islanders @ Devils
• Capitals @ Canadiens
• Flyers @ Thrashers
• Flames @ Blue Jackets
• Hurricanes @ Sabres
• Senators @ Bruins
• Rangers @ Penguins
• Lightning @ Stars
• Panthers @ Predators
• Red Wings @ Blues
• Wild @ Avalanche
• Oilers @ Canucks
• Blackhawks @ Kings

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29

• Coyotes @ Ducks
• Sharks @ Canucks

After driving the Zamboni up the block, he jumped down and entered the store where he proceeded to face off against several competitors on the new Wii game.  16 other players joined Ovechkin in Manhattan for the Media Tour, including Boston’s Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas.  The players were promoting what we all expect to be a brilliant 2009-10 season, which kicks off in Stockholm on October 4.  Besides facing plenty of press, the players were also making appearances, filming promotional clips and meeting and greeting fans.

In other off ice news, the Penguins have crashed the White House to meet with President Obama.  As part of their visit, they also took to the ice to play with the oldest minority youth hockey club in the country as part of the United We Serve program to promote community service.  This is only one of the events running in conjunction with the September 11 Day of Remembrance.

With less than a week to go before the preseason gets underway, it’s good to see the players out and about.  Check out Ovechkin’s joy ride in the video below and stay tuned for reports on the preseason action.

BEST MALE ATHLETE
Kobe Bryant, NBA
LeBron James, NBA
Jimmie Johnson, Auto Racing
Michael Phelps, Swimming

BEST FEMALE ATHLETE
Natalie Coughlin, Swimming
Nastia Liukin, Gymnastics
Maya Moore, NCAA Basketball
Candace Parker, WNBA
Serena Williams, Tennis

BEST CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, Olympic Beach Volleyball

BEST BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE
Shawn Johnson, Olympic Gymnastics
Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

BEST RECORD BREAKING PERFORMANCE
Usain Bolt, Olympic Sprinter
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimmer

BEST UPSET
Mine That Bird wins the Kentucky Derby
Oregon State stuns then #1 USC
Tampa Bay Rays win the American League Championship Series
US Soccer shocks Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals

BEST GAME
Federer vs. Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon Final
Steelers vs. Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII
Syracuse vs. Connecticut in the Big East Tournament Quarterfinals

BEST MOMENT
Florida’s Tim Tebow’s speech
Helio Castroneves wins the Indy 500
US swim team wins thrilling finish in Olympic relay

BEST PLAY
Ovechkin vs. Rangers
Pacquiao KO’s Hatton
Roethlisberger to Holmes Super Bowl Winning TD
Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree makes game-winning catch vs. Texas

BEST NHL PLAYER
Alexander Ovechkin, Capitals
Evgeni Malkin, Penguins
Pavel Datsyuk, Red Wings
Sidney Crosby, Penguins

BEST TEAM
Connecticut Women’s Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers
North Carolina Men’s Basketball
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Steelers

If you’d like to put down a wager on your favorite athlete, check out the Entertainment section of the sportsbook at BetUS.  Might make the awards a little bit more interesting.  Anyway, be sure to stay tuned for a list of the winners.