Cuthbert also handed the region a welcome boost at the end of last year when he signed a new deal at the Arms Park.
He said: "I am very surprised to win the award but really pleased. It's a real honour.
"I thought any of the other boys nominated deserved to have won it but I appreciate the support from all the fans over the year.
"We haven't quite had the year we had wanted but I know we have room to improve and I am looking forward to the season ahead which I feel very confident about.
"We have had some really good younger players come through this year, such as Owen Williams and Rhys Patchell.
"There are not many teams in Europe who can say that the average age of their players is 23.
"I know we are going to continue to improve and in the next couple of years I know we will be in the Heineken Cup quarter and semi-finals, while also pushing for the top four in the Rabo as well.
"I haven't really been thinking about the Lions announcement coming up. We will just have to wait and see what happens, hopefully there will be a few Blues boys involved!
"Fingers crossed but we will just have to see what happens."
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