Edmonton’s McDavid wins first Hart Trophy as MVP
LAS VEGAS » Connor McDavid has won his first Hart Trophy. Hardly anybody in hockey believes it will be his last.
The Edmonton captain claimed the award as the NHL’s most valuable player Wednesday night at the league’s postseason awards show at T-Mobile Arena, the new home of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.
The league also revealed the results of the Golden Knights’ expansion draft to an arena filled with new fans of the NHL’s 31st franchise.
McDavid also won the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the league’s most outstanding performer in a vote of his fellow players.
The honors capped a remarkable sophomore season for the 20-yearold center, who won the scoring title and led the Oilers back to the Stanley Cup playoffs after an 11year absence.
The former No. 1 pick beat out fellow finalists Sergei Bobrovsky of Columbus and Pittsburgh’s Sidney
Hart Memorial Trophy, MVP:
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton
Vezina Trophy, goaltender:
Sergei Columbus
James Norris Memorial Trophy, defenseman:
Brent Burns, San Jose
Calder Memorial Trophy, rookie:
Auston Matthews, F, Toronto
Frank J. Selke Trophy, defensive forward: Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, most gentlemanly:
F,
Bobrovsky,
Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston
Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary
Jack Adams Award, coach:
John Tortorella, Crosby.
“I’m so proud to be in Edmonton,” McDavid said. “I’m so proud to be an Oiler, and so proud to play with the guys.”
McDavid is the third-youngest player to win the award. Only Craig Anderson, G, Ottawa
Awards Based on Regular-Season Statistics Art Ross Trophy, points scoring leader:
Connor McDavid, Edmonton
Maurice Richard Trophy, goal-scoring leader:
Sidney Crosby,
Pittsburgh
William M. Jennings Trophy, goalies with fewest goals against, minimum 25 games:
Braden Holtby, Washington
Award Voted on by NHL Players’ Association Ted Lindsay Award, outstanding player:
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Crosby and Wayne Gretzky claimed the Hart as teenagers.
Boston center Patrice Bergeron won the Selke Trophy for the fourth time as the NHL’s best defensive forward, and San Jose’s Brent Burns won his first Norris Trophy as the top defenseman. Toronto center Auston Matthews easily took the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, and Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky won his second Vezina Trophy.
Nashville’s David Poile was named the NHL’s top executive after the Predators’ first Western Conference title, and Columbus’ John Tortorella won the Jack Adams Award as the league’s top coach.
Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson won the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Anderson left the Senators during the season to support his wife, Nicholle, in her fight against throat cancer, but returned to become Ottawa’s career victories leader.
Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanlike play.
Bobrovsky got 25 of the 30 firstplace votes to outdistance Braden Holtby and Carey Price after leading the league with a 2.06 goalsagainst average and a .931 save percentage.
Bobrovsky, the first Russian to win the award twice, and Tortorella played major roles in the Blue Jackets’ revival for the best season in franchise history.
Bergeron also won the Selke in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The two-way Bruins star beat out Anaheim’s Ryan Kesler and joined Bob Gainey as the only players to win the Selke four times.