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Winnipeg Jets' Mark Stuart reacts after New York Islanders' Kyle Okposo (21) scored against Jets goalie Chris Mason (50) in the second period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, April 5, 2012, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)Kathy Kmonicek/The Associated Press

Defenceman Mark Stuart has won the first Dan Snyder Memorial Award to be presented since the Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg.

The award is named after the Ontario-born Thrashers' forward killed in a car accident in 2003.

It goes to the player who "best embodies perseverance, dedication and hard work without reward or recognition, so that his team and teammates might succeed."

The Jets told the Snyder family they wanted to keep handing out the award to honour Dan's memory.

Snyder's father Graham and other family members were in Winnipeg for the presentation at the last game of the season.

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