Twice-convicted pedophile Graham James has returned a plaque he won more than two decades ago as a hockey publication's man of the year.

The Hockey News bestowed the honour on the former junior hockey coach in June 1989.

The publication stripped him of the award when he pleaded guilty last December to the latest sex assault charges against him.

Columnist Ken Campbell says the plaque was recently returned when James approached a longtime NHL scout and asked him to return it to The Hockey News.