The AHL announced Tuesday that Logan Thompson of the Henderson Silver Knights is the winner of the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the league’s outstanding goaltender for the 2020-21 season.

Then Wednesday, the AHL announced that Ryan Murphy of the Henderson Silver Knights is the winner of the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL’s outstanding defenseman for the 2020-21 season.

Named to the AHL All-Rookie team and the Pacific Division All-Star team last week, Thompson made 23 appearances for the Silver Knights in 2020-21 and went 16-6-1 while ranking first in the league with a .943 save percentage and second with a 1.96 goals-against average as Henderson finished first in the division during the regular season.

The CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month for both February and March, Thompson allowed two goals or fewer in each of his first nine starts and 15 of 23 overall, including two shutouts.

A 24-year-old native of Calgary, Thompson signed an entry-level contract with Vegas on July 13, 2020, after spending last season in the ECHL, and made his NHL debut with the Golden Knights on Mar. 10, 2021, with a relief appearance at Minnesota.

Before turning pro, Thompson played major junior with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings and spent the 2018-19 season at Brock University, where he was named Ontario University Athletics’ goaltender of the year.

Murphy led all AHL defensemen in scoring in 2020-21, collecting five goals and 22 assists for 27 points in 37 games for a Silver Knights team that finished atop the Pacific Division during the regular season. Murphy’s 14 power-play points were tied for second in the entire league, and his 78 shots on goal were tied for first among blueliners. He was named to the Pacific Division All-Star Team last week.

A first-round choice (12th overall) by Carolina in the 2011 NHL Draft, Murphy signed with Henderson on August 14, 2020, after spending last season in the KHL.

The native of Aurora, Ont., has skated in 232 career AHL contests with Henderson, Binghamton, Iowa and Charlotte, totaling 22 goals and 124 assists for 146 points, and participated in the AHL All-Star Classic in 2015. Murphy has played 175 NHL games with Carolina, Minnesota and New Jersey, compiling eight goals and 35 assists.

Photos/Zak Krill

(June 2, 2021)