Nathan MacKinnon, of the Colorado Avalanche, won the Hart Trophy at the 2024 NHL Awards Ceremony on Thursday. The Colorado Avalanche center was named his team’s NHL Most Valuable Player, following a vote by the Professional Hockey Journalists Association (PHWA).
Earlier in the evening, MacKinnon also got his hands on the Ted Lindsay Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NHL’s MVP following a vote by members of the NHL Players’ Association. .
MacKinnon, 28, finished second in the NHL with 140 points (51 goals, 89 assists) in 82 games. In addition to being the Avalanche leader in goals, assists and points, his 51 goals earned him fourth place in the league, and his 48 points on the power play (10 goals, 38 assists) placed him second, behind Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning (53). This is the second time in his career, and a second season in a row, where MacKinnon has reached the 100-point plateau after collecting 111 last season.
Connor Hellebuyck, meilleur gardien
Connor Hellebuyck won the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender. This is the second time the Winnipeg Jets goaltender has won the award. A four-time Vezina finalist, Hellebuyck won the trophy in 2019-20, finished second in the voting in 2017-18 and third last season.
Hellebuyck went 37-19-4 with a 2.39 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and five shutouts in 60 games with the Jets this season. He ranked second in wins, saves and save percentage, and fourth in save percentage.
Hellebuyck had previously won the William M. Jennings Trophy, awarded annually to the goaltender(s) who played at least 25 games for the team that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL regular season. Winnipeg allowed 199 goals (2.43 per game), including shootout goals, and finished second in the Central Division (52-24-6).
Quinn Hughes, king of defenders
Quinn Hughes was 12 years old and playing for the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League when coach Rich McLeod offered him to become a defender. He accepted and the rest is history. Only 12 years later, the captain of the Vancouver Canucks got his hands on the James Norris Trophy awarded to the best defenseman in the NHL.
In his first season as Canucks captain, Hughes led all players at his position with 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists) and 17 first-time power-play assists. He had nine games with at least three assists, a feat achieved by only two other defencemen in a single season, Bobby Orr (four times) and Raymond Bourque (1993/94).
Connor Bédard, THE rookie!
Connor Bedard had a lot of pressure on his shoulders in his first season. The 18-year-old center has taken the NHL by storm and has become the face of the Chicago Blackhawks, the one who must get the organization back on the winning track. On Thursday, he capped off that first campaign by winning a nice little trophy.
The name of Bedard, the Blackhawks’ first pick in the 2023 NHL draft, was among the top five selections of 194 ballots cast by members of the Professional Hockey Journalists Association. He received 152 first place votes and 39 second place votes for a total of 1808 points. Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber follows with 1464 points (42 first place votes).
The best recruits
The National Hockey League announced the 2023/24 NHL All-Rookie Team, including three unanimous selections (all three finalists for the Calder Trophy): forward Connor BedardChicago Blackhawks, and defensemen Brock Faberyou Wild you Minnesota, et Luke Hughesof the New Jersey Devils.
Other members of the 2023/24 NHL All-Rookie Team include goaltender Pyotr KochetkovCarolina Hurricanes, and forwards Logan Cooley, Arizona Coyotes, and Mark Rossiyou Wild you Minnesota.
The vote for the all-star teams was conducted among representatives of the Professional Hockey Journalists Association (PHWA) after the conclusion of the regular season.
(Source: nhl.com)
