In Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday night, Connor McDavid secured his third Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP. Although he fell just one vote short of unanimous selection, his remarkable performance during the season made him the highest-scoring player in over 25 years.
Furthermore, McDavid clinched the Ted Lindsay Award, which recognizes the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted by his fellow players. As captain of the Edmonton Oilers, he topped the league with impressive statistics, including 64 goals, 89 assists, and 153 points. These numbers haven’t been seen since Mario Lemieux’s remarkable season in 1995-96.
McDavid previously earned the Hart Trophy in 2017 and 2021, along with the Lindsay Award in 2017, 2018, and 2021. Widely acknowledged as the world’s best hockey player, McDavid is still pursuing his first Stanley Cup victory. Unfortunately, Edmonton’s playoff journey ended in the second round against eventual champions, the Vegas team.
Reflecting on his achievements, McDavid acknowledged the significance of these trophies in the context of the sport. While they hold great meaning to him, he emphasized that they are not the sole driving force behind his dedication and passion for the game. Nonetheless, he expressed his appreciation for the special recognition he
In a surprising turn, one voter among the 196 chose David Pastrnak from the Boston Bruins as the MVP. The Bruins had a remarkable evening at the NHL awards ceremony, having set records for the most wins and points in a regular season, aided in part by rule changes.
This year was a unique occurrence as the majority of the major award winners were evident even before the conclusion of the regular season.
Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks also joined the ranks of three-time award winners, securing the Norris Trophy as the top defenseman. This accolade marked his first such honor since 2015. At the age of 32, Karlsson became the first defenseman since Brian Leetch in 1992 to surpass 100 points in a season.
Reflecting on his achievement, Karlsson expressed satisfaction with his fantastic year and feeling good throughout. However, he also mentioned that he believes there is more to accomplish, which fuels his excitement for the future. He has openly expressed his interest in joining a team that has a genuine chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
The Boston Bruins had an impressive showing at the awards ceremony, with three of their members receiving recognition. Captain Patrice Bergeron, goaltender Linus Ullmark, and coach Jim Montgomery all emerged as winners.
For Ullmark and Montgomery, it was their first time receiving the prestigious awards: Ullmark earned the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie, while Montgomery claimed the Jack Adams Award as the coach of the year. Ullmark’s exceptional performance saw him leading the league with an impressive 1.89 goals-against average and a remarkable .938 save percentage. Additionally, he was tied for the most wins, achieving 40 victories despite starting in just 48 games.
This acknowledgment highlights Ullmark’s outstanding contributions between the pipes and Montgomery’s exceptional coaching abilities, leading the Bruins to success. Their achievements serve as a testament to their dedication and skill, bringing great pride to the Boston Bruins organization.
Linus Ullmark expressed his aspirations to be the best in his position despite the tough competition posed by exceptional players like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. He acknowledged the challenge but maintained his goal of striving for excellence.
Jim Montgomery, the coach of the Boston Bruins, had a remarkable first season with the team, leading them to an impressive 65 wins. He expressed gratitude towards those who supported him during a difficult period in his career, emphasizing the importance of a team and the ability to effect positive change within oneself.
Patrice Bergeron continued his defensive excellence by winning the Selke Trophy for the sixth time, further solidifying his NHL record. At the age of 37, he led the league in faceoff wins and percentage, demonstrating his exceptional defensive skills.
Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken received the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year. Beniers led all rookies in points and was tied for the lead in goals, contributing significantly to the Kraken’s playoff appearance in just their second year in the league.
Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings was honored with the Lady Byng Award for his gentlemanly conduct, while Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning received the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who remarkably returned to play just 12 days after suffering a stroke, was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance and dedication.
The Hart, Norris, Selke, Calder, Masterton, and Lady Byng awards are voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. The Vezina Trophy is determined by general managers, and the Jack Adams Award is selected by members of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association.
