2018 NHL AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Devils’ Taylor Hall Captures First Career Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, Golden Knights a Four-Time Winner After Historic First Season at 2018 NHL Awards
Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils and former Windsor Spitfire has won the Hart Memorial Trophy awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the 2018 NHL Awards.
Darcy Haugan, the late coach of the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), was posthumously honored with the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. New in 2017-18, the award honors former NHL forward Willie O’Ree, who on Jan. 18, 1958, became the first black player to compete in the League and has served as the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador for more than two decades.
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers won his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy, presented “to the player who leads the League in scoring points at the end of the regular season.”
George McPhee of the Vegas Golden Knights is the 2017-18 winner of the NHL General Manager of the Year Award. Voting for this award was conducted among NHL Club General Managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media at the conclusion of the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators has captured the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the “goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position,” as selected by NHL General Managers. Prior to 1981-82, the Vezina was awarded to the goaltender(s) whose team allowed the fewest goals during the regular season, the current criterion for the William M. Jennings Trophy.
Deryk Engelland defenseman of the Vegas Golden Knights is the recipient of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, which is presented “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.”
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals captured his seventh career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the League’s top goal-scorer, adding to the titles he won in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2012‑13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16. Ovechkin scored a League-high 49 goals in 82 games during the regular season, finishing ahead of Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (44 in 82 GP) and Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (43 in 82 GP).
Gerard Gallant head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights captured the Jack Adams Award as “the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success,” as selected by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association.
William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights captured the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Daniel & Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks are this year’s recipients of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded to “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” The Sedins will receive a $40,000 donation from the National Hockey League Foundation to benefit a charity or charities of their choice.
Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning has won his first career James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the defenseman demonstrating “the greatest all-around ability in the position,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings won the William M. Jennings Trophy, presented “to the goalkeeper(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it.”
Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings won his second career Frank J. Selke Trophy, recognizing “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils is the 2017-18 recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” The award was presented by the Professional Hockey Writers Association to honor the late Bill Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars who exhibited those qualities. Masterton died on Jan. 15, 1968, as a result of an on-ice injury.
Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders won the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is the recipient of the 2017-18 Ted Lindsay Award (TLA) after garnering the most votes from the players for his exceptional season. The TLA is presented annually “to the most outstanding player in the NHL,” as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA. The Ted Lindsay Award (TLA) is unique as the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established by the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1970-71. Reintroduced in 2009-10, the TLA honours Ted Lindsay – its namesake – an NHL All-Star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership, and role in establishing the original Players’ Association. Annually, NHLPA members vote on the player they deem to be the most outstanding in the NHL regular season.