Mikita is also the last Blackhawk to win the Hart Trophy, winning in back-to-back seasons in 1967 and 1968.
Advertisement
The 27-year-old Kane became the first American-born (‘Merica!) player to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP for the 2015-16 season.
The Hart Trophy was donated to the NHL by Dr. David Hart, and has been given to the League MVP since the 1923-24 season.
Kane garnered 121 of 150 first-place ballots. The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby finished second with 11 first-place votes, while Dallas’ Jamie Benn was third. He beat out three-time victor Patrice Bergeron of Boston and Anaheim’s Ryan Kesler, the 2011 victor.
The Dallas Stars captain was a first-team all-star in 2014 and a second-team all star previous year.
The James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the defenseman demonstrating “the greatest all-around ability in the position, went to Drew Doughty of LA Kings”. Benn and Washington goalie Braden Holtby were the other finalists for the Lindsay Award. Rutherford’s retooled roster and midseason coaching change spurred the Penguins to a strong regular-season finish that carried the Penguins to the fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Artemi Panarin is the NHL’s rookie of the year.
Doughty beat out defending Norris Trophy victor Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators and Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks for his first Norris Trophy in his third appearance as a finalist.
Jaromir Jagr, the Florida Panthers’ 44-year-old leading scorer, was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Washington’s Barry Trotz won the Jack Adams as coach of the year.
The South Buffalo native took home the honor after leading the National Hockey League with 106 points.
Advertisement
Nashville Predators defenceman Shea Weber won the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, Vancouver Canucks forward Henrik Sedin won the King Clancy Trophy for leadership on and off the ice and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to community, and Calgary Flames defenceman Mark Giordano won the NHL Foundation Player Award for community service. Anaheim’s John Gibson was named as goaltender.
