http://www.pressconnects.com/story/sports/hockey/minors/b-sens/2015/04/10/binghamton-senators-chris-wideman-named-ahls-best-defenseman/25591235/

One day after being named a first-team All-Star by the American Hockey League, Chris Wideman has added an even bigger honor to his collection.

The third-year player won the Eddie Shore Award as the league's best defenseman on Friday, becoming the first Binghamton Senators player to earn the honor. Wideman has led all AHL defensemen in points and shots on goal all season long and came into the award race as the frontrunner.

"It's a pretty special honor if you look at some of the past winners; there's some pretty good players on that list," said Wideman, who is now in the same company as previous winners like Al Arbour (1965), Terry Murray (1978, '79), Eric Weinrich (1990), Niklas Kronwall (2005) and Johnny Boychuk (2009. "To be in the same category as them is obviously special. Individual awards are an extension of the team so it's been a good season.

"Pretty special to be reocignized but at the same time I'd trade it back in for a couple more points in the stadnings and a chance to play in the playoffs for sure."

Michael Murray, the league's vice president of hockey operations, presented Wideman the trophy before Friday's game, a 6-3 victory over Albany. The award is voted on by coaches, players and members of the media in each of the league's 30 cities.

Wideman has 17 goals and 39 assists for a franchise-record 56 points with a plus-7 rating in 71 games for Binghamton this season, leading all AHL defensemen in assists, points and shots on goal (215). He is an anchor for the league's second-ranked power play, contributing seven goals and 12 assists with the man advantage, and all three of his game-winning goals have been scored in overtime.

"A lot going on the past couple days, a lot of kind words shared but for me I think the coolest thing is getting to play with my brother tonight," Wideman said after his brother, Alex, made his pro debut on Friday with Binghamton. "It's special to have him here and I think it's cool for the whole family."

Wideman began his breakout campaign with a nine-game scoring streak early in the year — still tied for the longest by an AHL defenseman this season — and earned CCM/AHL Player of the Month honors for October. He scored seven goals in his first 10 games and had already established a new career high with his 10th goal of the season on Nov. 22.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Wideman, 25, was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He played four seasons at Miami University (2008-12) before turning pro, and has 28 goals and 97 assists for 125 points in 204 AHL games, all with Binghamton.

This award, which was first presented by the AHL in 1958-59, honors the late Eddie Shore, a member of both the Hockey Hall of Fame and the American Hockey League Hall of Fame who is widely regarded as one of hockey's greatest defensemen.

Wideman is the fourth Binghamton player to win the award. Barry Richter (1995-96) won it with the Binghamton Rangers and Brad Shaw (1986-87) and Richie Dunn (1984-85) won it for the Binghamton Whalers.