The NHL Awards are in Las Vegas this year. From teams all over North America, players exemplifying outstanding performance are being honored in Sin City.
Here are this year’s 2011 NHL Awards nominees:
ART ROSS TROPHY
This award is presented to the NHL’s leading scorer.
WINNER: Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
Sedin finished with a career high of 104 points (41g, 63a) at the end of the 2010-2011 season.
This marks the first time in NHL history that brothers have won the scoring title in consecutive seasons, and the third time that two brothers have won the award. Daniel also led the NHL’s top power-play unit by tallying a league-leading 18 goals and 42 points.
PAST WINNER: Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
BILL MASTERTON MEMORIAL TROPHY
This award is presented to a player that has shown perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
2010-11 FINALISTS: Ray Emery, Daymond Langkow, Ian Laperriere
Emery underwent a complicated bone-graft surgery last April to repair a deteriorated ball joint in his right hip, the result of a disease called avascular necrosis which interrupts blood flow to the area and causes cells to die. After months of rehabilitation he signed with Anaheim as a free agent on February 7, 2011 and went 7-2-0 with a 2.28 GAA and .926 save percentage in 10 NHL regular-season appearances.
Langkow suffered a serious neck injury on March 21, 2010 against Minnesota. He was twice forced to stop working out in the hopes of returning before the recurring problems finally subsiding on his third attempt. More than a year after being hit on the spine by a puck and suffering a fractured vertebra, he made the comeback complete on April 1 when he played in his 1,014th NHL game.
LaPerriere sustained a severe injury during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs when he blocked a shot with his face against New Jersey and suffered a concussion and fractured orbital bone. He returned to action later in the 2010 Playoffs, and although persistent concussion-related symptoms sidelined him for the entire 2010-11 season, he continued to serve the Flyers in several capacities, particularly as a mentor for young players.
PAST WINNER: Jose Theodore, Washington Capitals
CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY
This award is awarded to the most outstanding rookie.
2010-11 Finalists: Logan Couture (San Jose Sharks), Michael Grabner (NY Islanders), Jeff Skinner (Carolina Hurricanes)
PAST WINNER: Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres
FRANK J. SELKE TROPHY
This award is awarded to the forward who excels in defensive play.
2010-11 Finalists: Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Kesler, Jonathan Toews
Datsyuk could become the first player to win the Selke for the four consecutive seasons since Bob Gainey (Montreal Canadiens) did from 1978-1981 when the award was first presented. Datsyuk was 11th in the NHL in takeaways with 71 despite playing just 56 games. Led Detroit in face-off percentage at 54.6% making this his seventh straight season above 53%.
Kesler is a finalist for the third consecutive season. He helped the Vancouver Canucks post the lowest teams goals-against average in the NHL (2.20) for the first time in the history of the franchise. Led all NHL forwards in blocked shots (80), dished out 124 hits and led the Canucks with 65 takeaways. Took 1,496 face-offs and won 859 for a team and career-high 57.4%.
Toews is a finalist for the first time. He led the Chicago Blackhawks with a career-high +25 rating and ranked second in the NHL with 95 takeaways. His 1,653 face-offs ranked second and he won a League-high 937 of them (56.7%). He delivered 74 hits and blocked 28 shots.
PAST WINNER: Pavel Datsyuk
HART MEMORIAL TROPHY
This award is awarded to the most valuable player to his team.
2010-11 Finalists: Corey Perry, Daniel Sedin, Martin St. Louis
Perry won the Maurice Richard Trophy as NHL goal-scoring leader with 19 goals in his final 16 games to raise his season total to 50 and help the Ducks climb from 11th to fourth place in the Western Conference. He shared the NHL lead in game-winning goals (11) with Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) as 25 of his goals either tied the score or put the Ducks ahead. He is tied for 5th in power-play goals (14) and shorthand goals (four).
Sedin could become part of the first brother tandem to win NHL MVP honors after his twin Henrik received the award last season. He led the NHL in scoring (41-63-104) and helped the Canucks post the NHL’s best record (54-19-9) for the first time. He sparked the NHL’s top-ranked power play with an NHL-best 18 goals and 42 points with the extra man and tied for second among NHL forwards in plus/minus (+30).
St. Louis is a finalist for the Hart for the first time since winning it in 2004. His 68 assists tied a Tampa Bay franchise record and his 99 points ranked him second in the NHL and marked the second-highest total of his 12-year career. He helped the Lightning make a 23-point improvement over 2009-10, posting the second-best record in franchise history (46-25-11) and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2007.
PAST WINNER: Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
JACK ADAMS AWARD
This award is awarded to the NHL’s Outstanding Coach.
2010-11 Finalists: Dan Bylsma, Barry Trotz, Alain Vigneault
Bylsma (Pittsburgh Penguins) is a first-time Adams finalist. He helped the Penguins gain home-ice advantage in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season under his direction. The team earned the second-most points (106) and victories (49) in franchise history, overcoming a total of 350 man-games lost due to injury in the process. Playing without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who missed most of the last 35 games, the Penguins still posted a 20-11-4 record for a .629 points percentage.
Trotz (Nashville Predators) led the team to the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven years and earned his second consecutive nomination for the Jack Adams Award. Employing stingy defense and a balanced offense, the Predators ranked third in the NHL in team goals-against (2.28) and had their four top scorers (Sergei Kostitsyn, Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist and Shea Weber) separated by just two points. Nashville finished fifth in the West after one of the most competitive Conference races in League history.
Vigneault (Vancouver Canucks) is a third-time finalist. He led the Canucks to their finest regular season in club history, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy as the League’s top club with 117 points (54-19-9). The team set single-season franchise records for most points, most victories and most road wins (27) and scored the most goals in the NHL (262), while allowing the fewest (185). Vancouver ranked number one in power-play percentage (24.3%) and placed third in penalty killing (85.6%).
PAST WINNER: Dave Tippett, Phoenix Coyotes
JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY
This award is awarded to the NHL’s Outstanding All-Around Defenseman.
2010-11 Finalists: Zdeno Chara, Nicklas Lidstrom, Shea Weber
Chara is a Norris Trophy finalist for the third time in the past four seasons and for the fourth time overall, he won the award in 2009. The Bruins captain led the NHL in plus-minus with a +33 rating, matching his career high, and was sixth in average ice time per game (25:26). His 44 points (14g, 30a) marked the seventh consecutive season he has surpassed the 40-point plateau.
Lidstrom is a Norris Trophy finalist for the 11th time in 13 seasons, he has won the award six times. He ranked second among NHL defensemen in scoring with 62 points (16g, 46a) in 82 games, highlighted by a career-best 11-game point streak. He tied for fourth among League defensemen in goals, was third in assists, tied for sixth in power-play goals (six) and led Detroit with 23:28 minutes per game.
Weber is a Norris Trophy finalist for the first time. He played all 82 games and his average ice time of 25:19 per game ranked third in the League. The Predators captain set single-season career highs in several categories, including games, average ice time, assists (32) and shots (254). He led all Nashville defensemen in scoring with 48 points (16g, 32a) and was a crucial contributor to the offense.
PAST WINNER: Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
KING CLANCY MEMORIAL TROPHY
This award is awarded to a player that exemplifies leadership qualities both on and off the ice.
PAST WINNER: Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY
This award is awarded to a player that exemplifies sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.
2010-11 Finalists: Loui Eriksson, Nicklas Lidstrom, Martin St. Louis
Eriksson is a trophy finalist for the first time in his five-year NHL career. He played a strong two-way game for the Dallas Stars, leading the club in power-play goals (10) and game-winning goals (six) and placing second in scoring with a career-high 73 points (27g, 46a) and in plus/minus with a +10 rating. He had just eight penalty minutes; the fewest among the NHL’s top 50 scorers.
Lidstrom is finalist for the first time in eight years and for the sixth time in his NHL career, but has never won the trophy. He was second among NHL defensemen in scoring with 62 points (16g, 46a) in 82 games. He assumed his usual heavy workload yet received just 20 penalty minutes in a team-leading 1,924:25 of ice time.
St. Louis is a six-time finalist and captured the award for the first time last year. He finished second in League scoring with 99 points (31g, 68a), tying a franchise record for assists in a season and posting the second-highest point total in his 12-year NHL career. He had just 12 minutes in penalties, matching a career low set last year.
PAST WINNER: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
TED LINDSAY AWARD
This award is awarded to the Most Outstanding Player Selected By the National Hockey League Players’ Association.
2010-11 Finalists: Corey Perry, Daniel Sedin, Steven Stamkos
Perry won the Maurice Richard Trophy with 50 goals and was third in the NHL with 98 points. He played all 82 games for the Anaheim Ducks and was especially dominant during their run to a playoff spot. He is seeking to add to an impressive list of accomplishments that includes the Memorial Cup, the Stanley Cup and the Olympic gold medal.
Sedin appeared in all 82 games for the Vancouver Canucks and his first selection as a finalist for the award, following his brother’s nomination last season. He won the Art Ross Trophy with 104 points, tying for fourth in goals (41), and placing third in both assists (63) and game-winning goals (10). He helped the Canucks win the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time.
Stamkos played in all 82 games and helped the Tampa Bay Lightning make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. After earning a share of the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2009-10, he finished second in the League in goals (45) this season, placing fifth in points (91) and second in power-play goals (17), one behind Daniel Sedin.
PAST WINNER: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
MAURICE RICHARD TROPHY
This award is given to the player who is the regular-season goal scoring leader.
WINNER: Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
PAST WINNER: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Steve Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning)
VEZINA TROPHY
This award is presented to the Most Outstanding Goaltender.
2010-11 Finalists: Roberto Luongo, Pekka Rinne, Tim Thomas
Luongo backstopped the Vancouver Canucks to their finest regular season in franchise history, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy for best record and posting the lowest team goals-against average (2.20). He tied Montreal’s Carey Price for the league lead in wins and his 2.11 average was the best of his career and second in the NHL. His .928 save percentage was his best.
Rinne played a critical role in securing the Predators’ sixth playoff berth in the past seven seasons by registering career-best totals in all major categories. Started 42 of Nashville’s final 46 games, posting 25 wins in that span and allowing two goals or fewer 28 times. He ranked second among NHL goaltenders in save percentage (.930) and placed third in goals-against average.
After off-season hip surgery, Thomas won his first eight decisions, which broke a club record set by Tiny Thompson in 1937-38. The 2009 Vezina Trophy winner finished the season with a .938 save percentage, eclipsing Dominik Hasek’s .937 in 1998-99 as the best since the statistic was introduced in 1976-77. He also led the NHL in goals-against average and ranked second in shutouts.
PAST WINNER: Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
WILLIAM M. JENNINGS TROPHY
This award is given to Goaltender(s) on Club with Fewest Goals Against.
WINNER: Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider, Vancouver Canucks
PAST WINNER: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
NHL GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD
2010-11 Finalists: Mike Gillis, David Poile, Steve Yzerman
Gillis built the Vancouver Canucks into the NHL’s top team in the 2010-11 regular season as they captured the Presidents’ Trophy with a franchise-record 117 points (54-19-9) and claimed the Northwest Division title for the third time in his three years in Vancouver. He strengthened the Canucks defensively over the off-season by adding blueliners Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis and shutdown center Manny Malhotra. Such was Vancouver’s organizational depth that the club allowed the fewest goals in the NHL (185) despite suffering a rash of injuries throughout the season that sidelined each of their top five defensemen. Gillis further bolstered team depth at the trade deadline with the acquisition of forwards Chris Higgins and Maxim Lapierre.
Under Poile’s direction the Predators (44-27-11) qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven seasons, finishing fifth in the West after the most competitive Conference race in League history. More than half of the line-up was drafted and developed by the organization, including the club’s top four scoring defensemen, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Cody Franson and Kevin Klein. Goaltenders Pekka Rinne and Anders Lindback were selected with the 258th and 207th overall selections in their respective draft years. To this nucleus Poile added leading scorer Sergei Kostitsyn in a trade last June and two-way center Mike Fisher at this year’s trade deadline.
Yzerman was hired as Lightning general manager last May and presided over a club that made a 23-point improvement over 2009-10, posted the second-best record in franchise history (46-25-11) and earned a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2007. Among the rookie NHL GM’s notable moves were hiring head coach Guy Boucher three weeks into his tenure and adding key veterans to his lineup. Defenseman Pavel Kubina was signed at the start of the free agency period last July, followed later in the month by forward Simon Gagne; goaltender Dwayne Roloson arrived via trade midway through the season and defenseman Eric Brewer was obtained at the trade deadline.
PAST WINNER: Don Maloney, Phoenix Coyotes
MARK MESSIER NHL LEADERSHIP AWARD
This award is presented to the individual with superior leadership in hockey and is a contributing member of society. It honors an individual who leads by positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to community activities and charitable causes.
2010-11 Finalists: Zdeno Chara, Shane Doan, Nicklas Lidstrom
Chara was named captain in 2006. He has led the Bruins to two Northeast Division crowns in the last three years. Despite being among the NHL’s top 10 in ice time, he has missed just 12 games in the past five seasons. He is a four-time Norris Trophy finalist and won the award in 2008-09. He is a long-time supporter of Right to Play, the program that uses sport to improve the lives of children from disadvantaged areas. This past season, he took over the Bruins’ PJ Drive, which distributes pajamas to local children in need. He helped bring in unprecedented contributions to the Boston Bruins Cuts for a Cause – including $1,500 paid by a local restaurant owner bid to shave Chara’s head.
Doan has served as Coyotes captain since 2003 and has led his young team to a combined 93-51-20 over the past two seasons despite off-ice distractions. In the Arizona community, Doan has long been considered one of the most selfless professional athletes in a city that is home to four major professional sports teams. He serves as an ambassador for Coyotes Charities and works with organizations including the United Blood Services, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Flashes of Hope and Children First Academy, a kindergarten through eighth grade school for homeless children.
Lidstrom is this first European-born captain to hoist the Stanley Cup, winning in 2007. He ranks fourth all-time on Detroit’s games-played and points lists and leads every major statistical category among defensemen. He has met with military veterans and school kids as part of the Wings’ community and youth programs. He is spokesman for the team’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night and annual trip to Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He was honored recently for his contributions to the city of Novik where he lives during the season, when the street beside the local arena was re-named Nick Lidstrom Drive.
PAST WINNER: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL FOUNDATION PLAYER AWARD
NHL players have a long-standing tradition of supporting charities and other important causes in their communities. NHL member clubs are constant in their quest to help local schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations. In recognition of this dedication, the NHL Foundation annually awards $25,000 to a current player’s charity that embodies the core values of the NHL: commitment, perseverance and teamwork.
2010-11 Finalists: Dustin Brown, Mike Green, Daniel and Henrik Sedin
PAST WINNER: Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY
This award is presented to the club with the most points in regular season.
WINNER: Vancouver Canucks
PRINCE OF WALES TROPHY
This award is given to the Eastern Conference Playoff Champion.
WINNER: Boston Bruins
CLARENCE CAMPBELL BOWL
This award is given to the Western Conference Playoff Champion.
WINNER: Vancouver Canucks
***SOURCE: NHL Awards 2011 Media Guide***
