A McDavid-style NHL gala. All the awards for the best players of the season

Before the draft merry-go-round of rising hockey stars got underway, a gala was held in Nashville. The annual awards ceremony was dominated by Connor McDavid, who took home four trophies. Czech star David Pastrnak walked away empty-handed.

Every year, a few days after the Stanley Cup, the best hockey players on the planet gather under one roof. The sweaty, stubborn faces of the warriors in their gear are replaced by smiles and polished jackets.

At the 2023 NHL Awards, trophies were handed out, primarily for the regular season. The event was hosted at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where this year’s draft will also take place in a few days.

McDavid-style show

It was a foregone conclusion that the Edmonton-born Canadian forward would take home the most trophies. Connor McDavid has already secured the awards for the most productive player and the best scorer of the regular season.

He won two more during the ceremony. He won the Ted Lindsay Award for the best hockey player of the past season, which is awarded after a vote by the players themselves. He also won the Hart Trophy, which in turn is decided by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. In total, McDavid won four trophies.

David Pastrnak also competed for the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Trophy. But the Czech forward ended up behind the Canadian magician in the voting. McDavid is now widely regarded by the hockey public as the best hockey player on the planet, which was finally confirmed at the gala.

Most awards for Boston

The Boston Bruins hockey team is probably still having nightmares about their early elimination in the playoffs, where they lost to Florida 3:4 in the first round. Even more so when the Bears were already leading the series 3-1.

But they were already smiling again at the gala in Nashville. No one can take away their record of 135 points in the regular season. This phenomenal performance was of course reflected in the awards ceremony. Boston coach Jim Montgomery received the Jack Adams Award for best coach.

There were others. The award for best defensive forward went to Patrice Bergeron. Linus Ullmark picked up the Vezina Trophy, which is given to the best goalie of the season. Along with his teammate Jeremy Swayman, they also won the award for the goalie on the team that received the fewest goals in the NHL regular season.

A total of fifteen trophies have already found new owners for the 2022/2023 season. The only award left to present is the Jim Gregory Award for General Manager of the Year. He will be announced on June 28 at the 2023 NHL Draft.

2022/2023 SEASON WINNERS

Hart Memorial Trophy(Most Valuable Player according to the Professional Hockey Writers Association):
Connor McDavid (Edmonton)

Ted Lindsay Award(MVP by NHLPA Players Association members):
Connor McDavid (Edmonton)

Vezina Trophy(best goaltender):
Linus Ullmark (Boston)

James Norris Memorial Trophy(best defenseman):
Erik Karlsson (San Jose)

Calder Memorial Trophy(best rookie):
Matty Beniers (Seattle)

Frank J. Selke Trophy(best defensive forward):
Patrice Bergeron (Boston)

Jack Adams Award(best coach):
Jim Montgomery (Boston)

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy(hockey gentleman):
Anže Kopitar (Los Angeles)

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy(perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey):
Kris Letang (Pittsburgh)

Mark Messier Leadership Award(for leadership):
Steven Stamkos (Tampa)

King Clancy Trophy(for leadership and humanitarian efforts):
Mikael Backlund (Calgary)

Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award(positive impact on community, culture or society through hockey):
Jason McCrimmon and Dean Smith

Art Ross Trophy(NHL regular season MVP):
Connor McDavid (Edmonton)

Maurice Richard Trophy(top scorer):
Connor McDavid (Edmonton)

William M. Jennings Trophy(for the goaltender on the team that received the fewest goals in the NHL regular season):
Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman (Boston)

Source: NHL