The 2018 NHL Awards Go To…
NHL
Last night in Las Vegas, the NHL handed out 16 awards to the league’s best players and personnel in the 2017-18 season in a variety of categories. Let’s take a look back at the 2018 NHL Awards winners in order of announcement.
Ted Lindsay Award – Connor McDavid
The Ted Lindsay Award goes to the player voted most outstanding by the NHL Player’s Association. For the second consecutive year, Connor McDavid won the honor. McDavid is the first player under the age of 22 to receive the award in consecutive seasons.
McDavid led the Oilers with 41 goals, 67 assists, and 108 points during the 2017-18 season. The Oilers captain also led the league in points. Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers was second in the league with 102 points and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning was third with 100 points.
James Norris Memorial Trophy – Victor Hedman
The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded to the league’s best defenseman as voted by the NHL. This year’s recipient for best D-man was Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hedman led all Tampa Bay defensemen with 17 goals, 46 assists, and 63 points during the 2017-18 season.
This is Hedman’s first Norris Trophy.
King Clancy Memorial Trophy – Daniel and Henrik Sedin
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy goes to the player who shows the best leadership and humanitarian efforts off the ice. Daniel and Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks were both awarded the trophy during the 2018 NHL awards.
The Sedin twins were honored for their charitable work in Vancouver throughout their time in the league. The Sedin twins announced their retirement at the end of the 2017-18 season.
Calder Memorial Trophy – Mathew Barzal
The Calder Memorial Trophy is for the league’s top rookie during the season. This year’s recipient was Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders. Barzal led all rookies in assists and points in the 2017-18 season.
Barzal led the next highest rookie, Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes, by 20 more points with 85 points (22 goals, 63 assists). He was also tied for 13th in the league in scoring.
Lady Bing Memorial Trophy – William Karlsson
The Lady Bing Memorial Trophy goes to the league’s most gentlemanly player. This year’s recipient was William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights. Karlsson was recognized for his sportsmanship and gentlemanly play. He took only six minor penalties all season, while finishing third in the league in goals.
This was Karlsson’s first award in his career and the first award for the Vegas Golden Knights’ franchise.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy – Brian Boyle
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is for the player who shows the most perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game. This year’s recipient was Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils.
After being diagnosed with Leukemia before training camp, Boyle rejoined his team in November. He played through not only his battle with cancer, but his son’s possible cancer battle, as well, showing the hockey world what true dedication looks like. This award was a no-brainer to fans and league officials across the nation.
Frank J. Selke Trophy – Anze Kopitar
The Frank J. Selke Trophy is given to the league’s best defensive forward. This year’s recipient was Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings. Kopitar led all forwards in total ice time (1,810:58) and average ice time (22:05).
This was Kopitar’s second Selke trophy win. He also won it in 2015-16.
Jack Adams Award – Gerard Gallant
The Jack Adams Award goes to the league’s head coach of the year. This year’s recipient was Gerard Gallant of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Gallant was also a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as coach of the Florida Panthers during the 2016-17 season.
Gallant led the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final and the most points in a team’s inaugural season. This was the Vegas franchise’s second award of the night.
Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award – Deryk Engelland
The Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award is for the player who shows the most leadership in the community. This year’s recipient was Deryk Engelland of the Vegas Golden Knights. Engelland won the Messier award for the program he and his wife started, which gave those affected by the Vegas shooting an opportunity to attend a home game.
Engelland was also a key piece to Vegas’ success this season. This was the third award for the Vegas franchise during the night.
Vezina Trophy – Pekka Rinne
The Vezina Trophy goes to the league’s top goaltender. This year’s recipient during the 2018 NHL awards was Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators. Rinne registered a goals against average of 2.31 and a save percentage of .927 in 59 regular season games.
This was Rinne’s first Vezina Trophy win.
General Manager of the Year Award – George McPhee
The General Manager of the Year Award is given to the league’s top general manager of the season. This year’s recipient was George McPhee of the Vegas Golden Knights. McPhee built one of the best first-year teams in league history.
This was the fourth and final award for the Vegas franchise. The franchise received every award it was up for in this year’s ceremony.
Hart Memorial Trophy – Taylor Hall
The Hart Memorial Trophy goes to the player voted most valuable to his team. This year’s recipient was Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils. Hall led the Devils to its first Stanley Cup playoff appearance since 2012, also leading his team with 93 points, 39 goals, and 54 assists.
This was Hall’s first award in his career and second for the New Jersey Devils tonight.
Tributes Made to the Community
Despite all the record-breaking moments and the rise of future superstars, the hockey world suffered multiple major tragedies. Within the last season, three major tragedies occurred: the Las Vegas massacre, the Parkland shooting, and the horrific Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
Last night, those affected by these tragedies and the first-responders were honored during the 2018 NHL awards.
First, first-responders and survivors of the Vegas massacre were honored. They were brought on stage, alongside some of the Vegas Golden Knights, to help announce the winner of the General Manager of the Year Award.
Survivors from the Parkland shooting helped announce the winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy, alongside members of the Florida Panthers. They also had a tribute video.
Survivors of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash were brought on stage to announce the first ever winner of the Willie O’ree Community Hero Award to the wife of Broncos head coach, the late Darcy Haugan.
