Danish Player of the Year 2010/2011 has been named

09 Apr 2011 | Henrik Lundqvist

As every year the Danish AL-Bank Ligaen Player of the has been named. It happened today before the international match between Denmark and Norway in Gladsaxe Skøjtehal.

The choice was difficult because there have been many great performances in the league this year. But the jury consisting of hockey journalist Peter Fredberg and National team coach Per Bäckman found a winner:

Before strong players like Mads Bech Christensen and Morten Poulsen the award in 2010/2011 went to the 21-year-old goalkeeper at Frederikshavn White Hawks, Frederik Anderson.

"It has been a very close race, the competition has been fierce, but Frederik had a great season. He has shown that he almost single-handedly can win hockey games - look only at semifinal series against AaB. It is impressive and he has again showed great development in the recent years so that he has really got his chance in the league, "said coach Per Bäckman.

He does not have Frederik Anderson in World Championship camp yet as the keeper plays the Danish finals, but Per Bäckman welcomes Frederik Andersen’s development also on behalf of the national team.

"Danish ice hockey has never had as good goalie duo that we have right now in Patrick Galbraith and Fred Anderson, and at the same time there are a few exciting keepers who also are coming from below. But Frederik has a fantastic calmness in his game and it spreads to the whole team and is extremely important in hockey today, so I am in no way nervous when Frederik is in thegoal for us, "says the coach.

As Player of the Year 2010/2011 Frederik Andersen today received the trophy, Canadian Ambassador's Cup, by the Canadian ambassador in Denmark, Peter Lundy. Frederik Andersen also received a nice TISSOT watch.

Frederick Anderson was born and raised in Herning and is the son of former Danish national team goalkeeper Ernst Andersen. Frederick had during the last year the highest saves percent in AL-Bank League and was a 2010 NHL Draft pick by Carolina Hurricanes.

The Rookie of the Year 2010/2011 will be announced on April 26 when Denmark plays the last test match before the World Championship against France in Vojens.