BENN, CROSBY AND KANE VOTED HART TROPHY FINALISTS
Forwards Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks are the three finalists for the 2015-16 Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team,” the National Hockey League announced.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Hart Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 22, during the 2016 NHL Awards – hosted by actor Will Arnett – at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Following are the finalists for the Hart Trophy, in alphabetical order:
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
Benn ranked second in the NHL with 89 points and third with 41 goals – both career highs – in 82 games to lift the Stars to their first division title since 2005-06 as well as their first conference crown since 2002-03. He became the first Dallas player to reach the 40-goal milestone since 1993-94 (Mike Modano: 50). Benn also set career highs and shared second place in the NHL in both power-play goals (17) and power-play points (30); his 17 power-play goals were the most by a Stars player since 1993-94 (Modano: 18). Benn, who in 2014-15 became the first player in franchise history to win the Art Ross Trophy, is the club’s first-ever finalist for the Hart Trophy.
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Crosby finished third in the NHL with 36-49—85 in 80 games, including a Leaguebest 27-31—58 during the calendar year (44 GP), to guide the Penguins to their 10th consecutive postseason berth. He picked up at least one point in 20 of his final 21 outings of the campaign (11-18—29). Crosby also was the only player who registered multiple point streaks of 10-plus games, doing so Jan. 12 – Feb. 8 (12-10—22 in 11 GP) and Feb. 29 – March 20 (6-14—20 in 12 GP). The former included a seven-game goal streak (Jan. 21 – Feb. 8: 10), a career high and tied for the longest by any player in 2015-16. Crosby is a Hart Trophy finalist for the fifth time; he won the award in 2006-07 and 2013-14.
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Kane posted career highs in goals (46), assists (60) and points (106) to capture the Art Ross Trophy and power the Blackhawks to their eighth straight playoff appearance. The Buffalo, N.Y., native notched at least one point in 64 of his 82 contests (78.0%), highlighted by a 26-game streak Oct. 17 – Dec. 13 (16-24—40) – a franchise record, the longest by a U.S.-born player in NHL history and the longest by any player since 1992-93 (Mats Sundin: 30). Kane, who became the first U.S.-born player in League history to win the scoring title, is Chicago’s first Hart Trophy finalist since 1990-91 (Ed Belfour) and is vying to become the first Blackhawk to win the award since 1967-68 (Stan Mikita).
History
The Hart Memorial Trophy was presented by the NHL in 1960 after the original Hart Trophy was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The original Hart Trophy was donated to the NHL in 1924 by Dr. David A. Hart, father of Cecil Hart, former manager-coach of the Montreal Canadiens.
2016 NHL Awards
A full lineup of presenters and entertainment for the 2016 NHL Awards – as well as information on broadcasting, tickets, and hospitality and travel packages through PrimeSport – will be announced at a future date. In addition, fans can tweet about the event using the official hashtag #NHLAwards
* Information provided via NHL Press Release
National Hockey League Press Release. Information provided from the NHL that describes various news releases that describe current events in the league.