Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid was awarded the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s best player for the third time in his illustrious career, and on Monday it was a near-unanimous decision.
McDavid led the NHL with 643 goals, 89 assists and 153 points, the most points since Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux in 1995-96, when he had 161.
«It’s certainly not lost on me what these trophies mean in the grand scheme of our game,» said McDavid, who also received the Ted Lindsay Award as the league’s most outstanding player as voted for by his teammates. «Doing it multiple times means a lot to me. Obviously it’s not the motivating factor, but it’s still special.»
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Edmonton Oilers hockey player Connor McDavid poses on the red carpet before the NHL Awards, Monday, June 26, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
McDavid missed out on a unanimous victory when a voter chose Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak as the league’s Most Valuable Player. Pastrnak had 61 goals, 52 assists and 113 points in a season in which the Bruins set the record for most wins with 65.
Boston was knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the eventual Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers.
McDavid is also looking for his first Stanley Cup championship. Since he entered the league during the 2015-16 season, the Oilers have only reached the Western Conference finals once. He arrived during the 2021-22 season, but ended in a sweep against the Colorado Avalanche.
Connor McDavid poses with the Hart Trophy during the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NHL PLAYERS WILL NO LONGER WEAR PRIDE JERSEYS DURING WARM-UPS: ‘KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE GAME’
San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman. Bruins goaltender David Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender, and Boston’s Jim Montgomery won the Jack Adams award for coach of the year.
«Three and a half years ago, the Dallas Stars terminated my contract due to my alcohol problems and I had to change my actions and behaviors,» Montgomery said. «For those struggling out there, you can change, you can affect change within yourself, and it doesn’t happen alone. You need a team.»
Bruins star Patrice Bergeron won the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward. It is the sixth time he has won the award. Seattle Kraken’s Matty Beniers won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
Connor McDavid, #97 of the Edmonton Oilers, awaits a matchup in the first period of game five of the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on May 12, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In addition, Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings won the Lady Byng Trophy for chivalrous conduct, Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos won the Mark Messier Leadership Award, and Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance and dedication. after returning to the ice nearly two weeks after a stroke.
Associated Press contributed to this report.