T-MOBILE ARENA IN LAS VEGAS TO HOST 2017 NHL AWARDS AND NHL EXPANSION DRAFT
The National Hockey League today announced that the 2017 NHL Awards™ will return to Las Vegas and include the NHL Expansion Draft™ in a two-hour television program. The 2017 NHL Awards ™ and NHL Expansion Draft ™ will celebrate the League’s top talent from the 2016- 17 season and reveal the initial roster of the League’s 31st team, the Vegas Golden Knights™ on Wednesday, June 21 at T-Mobile Arena.
Televised live in the United States on NBCSN and in Canada on Sportsnet at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, the 2017 NHL Awards™ will showcase hockey and Hollywood’s biggest stars with the excitement and energy that only Las Vegas can provide. As part of the program, the Golden Knights’ 30 selections in the NHL Expansion Draft™ will be revealed, providing the home fans – and national viewing audience – the opportunity to learn the initial composition of the team’s roster. The show will highlight team Majority Owner Bill Foley, General Manager George McPhee, Head Coach Gerard Gallant, as well as select players chosen by the Golden Knights, who begin NHL play in 2017-18.
The 2017 NHL Awards™ will again honor the top individual regular-season performances in a wide range of categories, including most valuable player (Hart Trophy), outstanding goaltender (Vezina Trophy), outstanding defenseman (Norris Trophy) and outstanding rookie (Calder Trophy). The Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), also will be awarded.
“We are thrilled to be in Las Vegas again for the NHL Awards,” said Steve Mayer, NHL Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President. “To be able to pair this perennial show with the excitement of the Expansion Draft for the Vegas Golden Knights is a unique event that we think our fans will greatly enjoy.”
The 2017 NHL Awards™ marks the eighth time the League will honor the best hockey players in the world and top performances of the season in Las Vegas, and the first time that T-Mobile Arena will host the NHL Awards™. Other Las Vegas venues that have hosted include the Palms Hotel (2009-2011), Encore at Wynn Las Vegas (2012, 2014), MGM Grand (2015) and The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (2016). Encore at Wynn Las Vegas will serve as NHL® Headquarters during the 2017 NHL Awards™ & NHL Expansion Draft™.
“June 21 will be an incredible day for the city of Las Vegas and our fans,” said Vegas Golden Knights Chairman and CEO Bill Foley. “The anticipation around the Expansion Draft has been building for months and that excitement will continue to grow as we get closer to Draft Day. By combining the draft with the NHL Awards, Golden Knights fans will get to experience a monumental day in our team’s history while enjoying one of the premier NHL events that features the game’s biggest stars.”
“During the 2017 NHL Awards, Las Vegas will celebrate the NHL’s top players and teams, and for the first time the destination will be represented by our new home team, the Vegas Golden Knights,” said Cathy Tull, Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Las Vegas and the NHL are a winning combination, and we look forward to kicking off the Golden Knights’ highly anticipated first season.”
Finalists for each award will be announced beginning Wednesday, April 19 with nominees for each award revealed daily. Following is the schedule of nominee announcements. Please note that all announcement dates are subject to change.
2017 NHL AWARDS NOMINEES
BERGERON, KESLER AND KOIVU VOTED SELKE TROPHY FINALISTS
Centers Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins, Ryan Kesler of the Ducks and Mikko Koivu of the Wild are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.”
LAINE, MATTHEWS AND WERENSKI VOTED CALDER TROPHY FINALISTS
Jets right wing Patrik Laine, Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews and Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.”
BURNS, HEDMAN AND KARLSSON VOTED NORRIS TROPHY FINALISTS
Brent Burns of the Sharks, Victor Hedman of the Lightning and Erik Karlsson of the Senators are the three finalists for the 2016-17 James Norris Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.” Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Norris Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.
BOBROVSKY, HOLTBY AND PRICE VOTED VEZINA TROPHY FINALISTS
Sergei Bobrovsky of the Blue Jackets, Braden Holtby of the Capitals and Carey Price of the Canadiens are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Vezina Trophy, which is awarded “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position.” The general managers of the NHL’s clubs submitted ballots for the Vezina Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.
GAUDREAU, GRANLUND AND TARASENKO VOTED LADY BYNG FINALISTS
Johnny Gaudreau of the Flames, Mikael Granlund of the Wild and Vladimir Tarasenko of the Blues are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability”. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Lady Byng Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.
ANDERSON, COGLIANO AND RYAN VOTED MASTERTON TROPHY FINALISTS
Craig Anderson of the Senators, Andrew Cogliano of the Ducks and Derek Ryan of the Hurricanes are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” The local chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted nominations for the Masterton Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season and the top three vote-getters were designated as finalists.
HAMONIC, SIMMONDS NAMED FINALISTS FOR NHL FOUNDATION AWARD
Travis Hamonic of the Islanders and Wayne Simmonds of the Flyers are the two finalists for the 2016-17 NHL Foundation Player Award, which is presented to “an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community.” NHL clubs submitted nominations for the NHL Foundation Player Award, with the finalists selected by a judging panel. The NHL Foundation will present $25,000 to the chosen charitable organization of this year’s recipient.
BABCOCK, McLELLAN, TORTORELLA VOTED JACK ADAMS AWARD FINALISTS
Mike Babcock of the Maple Leafs, Todd McLellan of the Oilers and John Tortorella of the Blue Jackets are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Jack Adams Award, presented to the head coach who has “contributed the most to his team’s success.” Members of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association submitted ballots for the Jack Adams Award at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.
FOLIGNO, GETZLAF AND GIORDANO NAMED FINALISTS FOR MESSIER AWARD
Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno, Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf and Flames defenseman Mark Giordano are the three finalists for the 2016-17 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.” Mark Messier solicits suggestions from club and League personnel as well as NHL fans to compile a list of potential candidates for the award. However, the selection of the three finalists and ultimate winner is Messier’s alone.
BOBROVSKY, CROSBY AND McDAVID VOTED HART TROPHY FINALISTS
Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Oilers center Connor McDavid are the three finalists for the 2016-17 Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.” Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Hart Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.
Tuesday, May 2
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by the Players)
The 2016-17 National Hockey League regular season concluded with Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid capturing his first career Art Ross Trophy as the League’s scoring champion, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby claiming his second career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader and Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals winning his first career William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltender who plays at least 25 games for the club allowing the fewest goals.