The award is determined in a vote of league media members, media relations directors and broadcasters.

"Cleve and Doyle are two of the most knowledgeable and dedicated writers to cover the ECHL and their respective teams," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. "Fans in Victoria and Anchorage benefit from their in-depth coverage and professional approach on a daily basis. Congratulations to both gentlemen on this well-deserved award."

Dheensaw, who is a native of Victoria, has covered the Victoria Salmon Kings since the team joined the ECHL in 2004-05. He also covers amateur sports and Olympic sports as many of Canada's athletes live and train in Victoria. Dheensaw will be in Beijing, China to cover the 2008 Summer Games for both the Times-Colonist and CanWest, which is the largest newspaper chain in Canada and owner of the Times-Colonist. He has written five books: "Island of Champions - A History of Sport in Victoria"; "Lacrosse 100: A History of Lacrosse in British Columbia"; "The Commonwealth Games: The First 60 Years"; "Olympics 100: Canada at the Summer Games" and "Celebrate the Spirit: The Olympic Games Book for Children".

"It is a tremendous honor and truly humbling to be cited for this award, especially among so many talented and proficient peers such as Doyle who cover the ECHL beat for newspapers in league cities scattered all over North America," said Dheensaw, who has worked for the Times-Colonist since being hired 1981 following his graduation from the University of Victoria. "I have found the evolving ECHL to be a compelling beat."

Woody moved to Anchorage when he was 11 years old and returned in 1983 after attending Gonzaga University. He has been the beat writer for the Aces each of the last two seasons after spending 21 years covering the University of Alaska Anchorage hockey team.

"It's very cool, and especially humbling, to be on any list that includes Cleve Dheensaw, whose work is top shelf," said Woody, who has worked for the Anchorage Daily News since 1983. "Any small insight or entertainment I've been able to furnish readers of the Anchorage Daily News in our coverage of the Alaska Aces and the ECHL owes a measure of gratitude to Aces players, coaches and staff. They have been very generous with time and access, in good times and lousy ones, and nice enough to forgive me my frequent bouts of awful alliteration. Plus it doesn't hurt that my girlfriend's patience apparently knows no bounds ... yet."

ECHL Outstanding Media Award Winners

Year Recipient Media Outlet
2007-08 Cleve Dheensaw Victoria Times-Colonist
Doyle Woody The Anchorage Daily News
2006-07 Scott Linesburgh The Stockton Record
2005-06 Matt Nevala The Anchorage Daily News
2004-05 Mike Mastovich The Tribune-Democrat
2003-04 Len Bardsley The Times of Trenton
2002-03 Dave Eminian Peoria Journal Star