New York reporters won't vote on NHL awards

SUNRISE, Fla. — Some NHL award winners will be determined without votes from two New York-based chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association this season.

The New York Rangers' chapter, by a 7-3 vote Friday, opted not to participate in the balloting to protest the New York Islanders' decision to pull the credential of PHWA member Chris Botta.

The Islanders chapter later in the day, by a 5-0 vote, showed a sign of solidarity, also agreeing not to participate in the balloting.

The Islanders have not said why they revoked the credential of Botta, a former team employee who was writing for a blog at the time.

"Although the Rangers' chapter doesn't reflect the sentiment of the other 30 chapters, I'm respectful of its decision," PHWA president Kevin Allen said in a statement.

Select members of the PHWA vote on the following awards: Hart (MVP), Norris (defenseman), Selke (two-way forward), Lady Byng (sportsmanship) and Calder (rookie). The voting members also select an all-star team and all-rookie team.

Without the Rangers' and Islanders' chapters, there will be 160 PHWA voters for those awards.

Tribune-Review reporters Rob Rossi and Josh Yohe are among the voters this season; Rossi is president of the Penguins' chapter.