Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid has received the first half of the NHL’s annual MVP honors.
McDavid was announced as the winner of the Ted Lindsay Award. Fellow players vote on the award for “the most outstanding player in the NHL.”
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He beat out the San Jose Sharks‘ Macklin Celebrini and Tampa Bay Lightning‘s Nikita Kucherov. The NHL Players’ Association doesn’t release vote totals.
McDavid is also a finalist for the Hart Trophy, the MVP award voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The winner will be announced later.
McDavid won the Ted Lindsay Award for the fifth time, tying Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for most times. It was known as the Lester B. Pearson Award when Gretzky won it.
Why Connor McDavid won Ted Lindsay Award
He led the NHL with 138 points in 82 games to earn his sixth career Art Ross Trophy, tied for the second-most in league history. He recorded his eighth season of 70 or more assists. He helped the Oilers reach the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
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Connor McDavid surprised with Ted Lindsay Award
The NHL has stopped holding the annual awards show, so the recipients are surprised with the trophies in unexpected settings.
McDavid was golfing when he received the award. His parents, wife and friends were there.
“This award, coming from the guys that you play against every single night and battle against every single night, to have them recognize me with an award like this, means so much,” McDavid said.
Other NHL awards winners
Vezina Trophy (goaltender): Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy
Norris Trophy (defenseman): Columbus Blue Jackets‘ Zach Werenski
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Calder Trophy (rookie): New York Islanders‘ Matthew Schaefer
Jack Adams Award (coach): Lightning’s Jon Cooper
Selke Trophy (defensive forward): Montreal Canadiens‘ Nick Suzuki
Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship): Canadiens’ Cole Caufield
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oilers’ Connor McDavid wins Ted Lindsay Award for fifth time
