LAS VEGAS — Henrik Sedin
wrecked Alex Ovechkin's bid for an NHL MVP three-peat.
The Vancouver Canucks star, who
had a league-best 83 assists, captured the Hart Trophy on Wednesday
night during the NHL's awards ceremony in Las Vegas. Ovechkin, the
captain of the Washington Capitals, had to settle for runner-up status
after taking home the prize each of the last two years.
"It's a strange feeling," Sedin
said. "I'm very proud, so its a great honor."
Sedin received 46 of 133
first-place votes, Ovechkin was second with 40, and Pittsburgh's Sidney
Crosby finished third with 20. Sedin had 894 total points compared with
834 for Ovechkin.
"These players are second to
none," Sedin said.
Ovechkin was honored earlier in
the night by his fellow players, winning the award for top player that
is presented by the NHL Players' Association.
"Life goes on, so it's OK,"
Ovechkin said. "By the players — it's the most important thing."
Ovechkin would have been the
first three-peat winner of the Hart since Wayne Gretzky won eight
straight from 1980 to 1987.
Sedin posted a career high 112
points, 30 more than his previous best. Crosby tied for the NHL lead
with 51 goals and was second with 109 points. He won the Hart in 2007.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tyler
Myers won the Calder Trophy as the league's rookie of the year. He beat
finalists Colorado center Matt Duchene and Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard.
"I was nervous for my speech,"
Myers said. "I can't believe I'm at this point right now, and to be able
to share it with family and friends was a pretty special moment for
me."
Dave Tippett of the Phoenix
Coyotes won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's most outstanding coach
after leading his team to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
The team set franchise records with 50 wins and 107 points. Tippett
received 57 of 59 first-place votes in balloting by the NHL
Broadcasters' Association.
Duncan Keith of the Chicago
Blackhawks won the Norris Trophy as hockey's top defenseman, and Detroit
Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the
NHL's top defensive forward for the third straight year.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward
Martin St. Louis won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most
well-behaved player after recording only 12 penalty minutes all season.