Coyotes defensive prospect Michael Stone was the Eastern Conference nominee for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, awarded to the League's top defenceman. While the award was ultimately won by Tyson Barrie of the Kelowna Rockets, Stone has nonetheless been excellent as co-captain and #1 defenceman for the Calgary Hitmen, posting 21 goals and 65 points in 68 games. Stone was the third consecutive Hitman to be nominated for the Hunter, after Washington's Karl Alzner, who won in 2008 and was ultimately named CHL Defenceman of the Year, and Atlanta's Paul Postma, who was nominated in 2009.