Because its the NHL Awards…
And the award for Most Frustrating Moment of the Week goes to? Winter Adams of The Pink Puck, for the moment she realized that her entire article from the NHL Awards earlier in the week had gone missing. Not just that article, but a few others throughout the past few months have skated away… Hopefully their recovery mission will be a successful one and this is just a placeholder.
Trying to write an entirely new article, when the winners are already in the history books is pointless, in any event, here they are.
Hart Memorial Trophy, Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
James Norris Memorial Trophy, Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
Vezina Trophy, Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
Jack Adams Award, Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, Dominic Moore, New York Rangers
Calder Memorial Trophy, Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Frank J. Selke Trophy, Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, Ryan O’Reilly, Colorado Avalanche
Ted Lindsay Award, Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Mark Messier Leadership Award, Dustin Brown, LA Kings
NHL Foundation Player Award, Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
NHL General Manager of the Year Award, Bob Murray, Anaheim Ducks
NHL15 Cover Winner, Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
The awards brought an avalanche of winners to Colorado, solidifying their staying powers in the west. After a standout season for the club, the team will be under a watchful eye to see if they can not only repeat their success, but push it further in the coming season.
Bruins Rask nabbing the Vezina Trophy, marks the third time in the past six seasons that Boston has held the best goaltender in the league on it’s roster. Preceeding Rask in the winning department, former Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas who nabbed top honors during the 08-09′ season and again during the 10-11′ Stanley Cup winning season. While Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, a Norris Trophy finalist lost out to Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blawkhawks, the night skated in favor of the black and gold.
No stranger to scoring hat-tricks, standout forward Patrice Bergeron did just that at the NHL Awards, skating away with the Selke, NHL Foundation Player Award and the cover of NHL15. Prior to the announcement, The Pink Puck sat down with Bergeron at EA Canada to discuss the game, honor and what comes next, the interview can be found here.
While the awards are in place to honor the best of the league, after a hard fought season, they’re also set in an environment meant for fun, whether with friends, or family, players did just that. With endless locations to party, shows to see and pools to visit, Vegas offers something for everyone. Chicago Blawhawks Jonathan Toews, took in a Cirque du Solei show with family, San Jose Sharks Brent Burns and Patrick Marleau visited a nightclub with their significant others and Anaheim Ducks Ryan Getzlaf hit the Mirage with family for a dolphin encounter.
What will happen in Vegas next year? Well, that will depend on which NHL stars shine during the season.
For videos from media day and the awards, head here.
