Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Auston Matthews collected the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player and the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHLPA’s most outstanding player at the NHL Awards on Tuesday night.
Matthews, 24, scored 60 goals, leading the NHL for the second straight season. He set a Maple Leafs franchise record and the single-season record for most goals by an American-born player. He led the NHL in even-strength goals (44), goals per game (0.82) and shots (348). He was tied for sixth in points with 106 — the highest total of his career.
“I think it’s a tremendous honor to wear the blue and white, represent the city of Toronto and wear the Maple Leaf every night,” he said. “Every time you get your name etched in history, with an organization like that, it’s something I don’t take for granted.”
Matthews earned 119 first-place votes for the Hart Trophy, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers was second in the voting, and New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was third.
Matthews is the first Maple Leafs player to win the NHLPA’s most outstanding player award, which is voted on by the players and was first handed out in 1971. He is the second American-born player to win it, joining Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane (2015-16). McDavid and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi were the runners-up for the Ted Lindsay.