Author: Frank Seravalli

Road warrior Sam Bennett narrowly topped Brad Marchand for Conn Smythe Trophy

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

SUNRISE, Fla. — Ballots revealed Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett narrowly topped teammate Brad Marchand to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs, selected by a panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members on Tuesday night.

Bennett garnered 11 of a possible 18 first-place votes but Marchand scooped up the other seven and all of the remaining second-place votes, making it a close call for the Conn Smythe. Bennett prevailed by a 76-68 margin in total points, which are awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.

Over the course of Florida’s 57-day quest for a second straight Stanley Cup, Bennett shattered both NHL and Panthers franchise records in becoming one of just a handful of players to win the Conn Smythe without a previous individual NHL Award in his trophy case. Bennett paced the playoffs with 15 goals, tied for second-most in one playoff run in the salary cap era, which also set a Panthers record. But it was his 12 goals scored on the road that set a new NHL high-water mark.

Though he didn’t score in the Cup clinching Game 6, saving all of the love for teammate Sam Reinhart and his four-goal performance, Bennett was Florida’s spark plug. He found the back of the net in the series opener in all four rounds, helping the Cats dig their claws into Tampa Bay, Toronto, Carolina and Edmonton. He also collected at least one point in all of the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final, netting a total of five goals in the pressure-packed Final, third behind teammates Marchand (6) and Reinhart (7). They mark the second trio of teammates to all score at least five times in one Final, joining Alex Delvecchio (6), Gordie Howe (5) and Ted Lindsay (5) of the 1955 Detroit Red Wings.

The 37-year-old Marchand dazzled once again under the brightest lights, scoring backbreaking goals against Edmonton in the Final as his second career Stanley Cup victory dragged Canada’s drought on to 32 years. Acquired in the last hour before the NHL’s trade deadline on March 7, he will go down as one of the best deadline acquisitions of all-time, fitting in seamlessly on a tight Florida team.

With a sparkling .914 save percentage, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky finished third in Conn Smythe voting. Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl also garnered third-place votes in a losing fashion.

Bennett’s Conn Smythe capped an incredible calendar year that included two Stanley Cups in a 359-day span, a career-high 51-point regular season, as well as scoring the game-tying goal for Team Canada in the championship game at the 4Nations Face-Off on American soil. He is just the third player to take home Playoff MVP without a contract in place for next season (Claude Lemieux [1995] and Jean-Sebastien Giguere [2003]), though that will change in short order.

In the interest of full transparency, the PHWA has once again revealed each individual ballot from all 18 voters:

2025 Conn Smythe Trophy Ballots

VoterOutletFirstSecondThird
Per BjurmanAftonbladetBennettMarchandForsling
Joshua ClippertonCanadian PressBennettMarchandDraisaitl
David DworkHockey NewsMarchandBennettDraisaitl
Luke FoxSportsnetMarchandBennettBobrovsky
Elliotte FriedmanSportsnetMarchandBennettBobrovsky
Jason GregorSports 1440BennettMarchandBobrovsky
François GagnonRDSMarchandBennettBobrovsky
Chris JohnstonThe AthleticBennettMarchandBobrovsky
Emily KaplanESPNMarchandBennettDraisaitl
Pierre LeBrunThe AthleticBennettMarchandBobrovsky
Jordan McPhersonMiami HeraldMarchandBennettDraisaitl
D. Nugent-BowmanThe AthleticBennettMarchandDraisaitl
Michael RussoThe AthleticBennettMarchandDraisaitl
Frank SeravalliDaily FaceoffBennettMarchandBobrovsky
Mark SpectorSportsnetBennettMarchandBobrovsky
Teemu SuvinenIlta-SanomatMarchandBennettBobrovsky
Stephen WhynoAssociated PressBennettMarchandBobrovsky
Greg WyshysnkiESPNBennettMarchandDraisaitl

Voting Point Totals

Sam Bennett, Florida: 76 points
Brad Marchand, Florida: 68 points
Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida: 10 points
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton: 7 points
Gustav Forsling, Florida: 1 point

Points were awarded on a 5-3-1 basis and the deadline to submit ballots to the NHL occurred with 10 minutes remaining in Game 6.

PHWA reveals 2025 NHL Awards ballots

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

EDMONTON, Alberta — Since 1967, the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) has been counted on to independently vote on six major NHL Awards, as well as end-of-season All-Star and All-Rookie teams.

For the eighth consecutive year, the PHWA has now published the ballot of each individual voter in the interest of full transparency.

“The 2024-25 NHL season featured arguably one of the greatest collections of talent ever assembled and a wide-open Hart Trophy race right down to the wire,” said PHWA President Frank Seravalli. “Once again, the PHWA delivered with an honest and fair voting process that in the end recognized extremely deserving winners.

“Our only job is to get it right. We’re incredibly proud of the countless hours our voters put into their ballots – researching, watching at the rink, and gathering opinions from trusted sources to make sure we get it right. With more attention and scrutiny on our ballots than ever before, we’ve also put more time and thought into the process.”

The PHWA voting contingent this season included 177 members and 19 invited international broadcasters.

Out of 197 ballots distributed, five selected voters did not return a ballot in the allotted time: Jim McBride (Boston Globe), Erik Erlendsson (Lightning Insider), Marty Klinkenberg (Globe and Mail), Tim Booth (Seattle Times), Michael Traikos (The Hockey News). As per PHWA policy, those members have lost future voting privileges.

There were also procedural errors in the voting process that resulted in some ballots being rejected. Antti Makinen (Viasat Finland) did not make the proper number of required selections resulting in his All-Star team choices being nullified. Nicole Kraft (Associated Press), Mark Spector (Sportsnet), Scott Charles (Associated Press) and Rob Rossi (The Athletic) selected ineligible individuals or returned ballots with improper number of required selections, resulting in their All-Rookie team selections being nullified.

In total, 196 ballots were distributed and of the 191 that were returned, 191 were counted for trophies, 190 were counted for All-Star teams, and 187 were counted for the All-Rookie team.

Each individual vote can be viewed at the links below after the winners are announced:

Hart Memorial Trophy – revealed June 12

James Norris Memorial Trophy – revealed June 11

Calder Memorial Trophy – revealed June 10

Frank J. Selke Trophy – revealed June 2

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy – revealed June 12

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy – revealed June 5

2024-25 All-Star Team: Center

2024-25 All-Star Team: Left Wing

2024-25 All-Star Team: Right Wing

2024-25 All-Star Team: Defense

2024-25 All-Star Team: Goaltender

2024-25 All-Rookie Team: Forward

2024-25 All-Rookie Team: Defense

2024-25 All-Rookie Team: Goaltender

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The PHWA wishes to congratulate all 2025 NHL Award winners and finalists on their well-deserved honors.​​

PHWA reveals 2024 NHL Awards ballots

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

LAS VEGAS — Since 1967, the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) has been counted on to independently vote on six major NHL Awards, as well as end-of-season All-Star and All-Rookie teams.

For the seventh consecutive year, the PHWA has published the ballot of each individual voter in the interest of full transparency.

“The 2023-24 NHL season was one for the record books, where hockey fans were treated to one of the most hotly debated Hart Trophy races in recent memory,” said PHWA President Frank Seravalli. “Once again, the PHWA delivered with an honest and fair voting process that, in the end, recognized extremely deserving winners.

“Our only job is to get it right. We’re incredibly proud of the countless hours our voters put into their ballots – researching, watching at the rink, and gathering opinions from trusted sources to make sure we get it right. With more attention and scrutiny on our ballots than ever before, we’ve also put more time and thought into the process.”

The PHWA voting contingent this season included 175 members and 21 invited international broadcasters.

Out of 196 ballots distributed, two selected voters did not return a ballot in the allotted time: Jenna Ortiz (Arizona Republic) and Danny Webster (Las Vegas Sun). As per PHWA policy, those members have lost future voting privileges.

There were also procedural errors in the voting process that resulted in some ballots being rejected. Kristen Shilton (ESPN), Kevin McGran (Toronto Star), Simon-Olivier Lorange (La Presse), Liam McHugh (TNT), Chip Alexander (Raleigh News & Observer), Corey Masisak (Denver Post) and Lance Lysowski (Buffalo News) did not make the proper number of required selections, resulting in their All-Star team selections being nullified. Joshua Kloke (The Athletic) and Gunnar Nordstrom (Expressen) did not make the proper number of required selections, resulting in their All-Rookie team selections being nullified.

In total, 196 ballots were distributed and of the 194 that were returned, 194 were counted for trophies, 186 were counted for All-Star teams, and 192 were counted for the All-Rookie team.

Each individual vote can be viewed at the links below:

Hart Memorial Trophy

James Norris Memorial Trophy

Calder Memorial Trophy

Frank J. Selke Trophy

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

2023-24 All-Star Team: Center

2023-24 All-Star Team: Left Wing

2023-24 All-Star Team: Right Wing

2023-24 All-Star Team: Defense

2023-24 All-Star Team: Goaltender

2023-24 All-Rookie Team: Forward

2023-24 All-Rookie Team: Defense

2023-24 All-Rookie Team: Goaltender

—

The PHWA wishes to congratulate all 2024 NHL Award winners and finalists on their well-deserved honors.​​

Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid was near unanimous 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy winner

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

SUNRISE, Fla. — Ballots revealed Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid was the near unanimous winner of the 2024 Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs, selected by a panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members on Monday night.

McDavid garnered 16 of a possible 17 first-place votes to become the first skater to win the Conn Smythe in a losing fashion since Philadelphia’s Reggie Leach in 1976. With 42 points in 25 games, McDavid assaulted the record books, posting the most points in a single postseason since Evgeni Malkin’s 36 in 2008-09.

Over the course of the Oilers’ 64-day slog toward Stanley, McDavid broke Wayne Gretzky’s record for most assists (34) in one playoff, became the first player to collect back-to-back four-point games in a Stanley Cup Final, both of which were elimination games, and laid claim to the best era-adjusted playoff run of all-time. He tied for the third-most points in one Stanley Cup Final series despite being held off the scoresheet in Games 6 and 7.

Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers skaters Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling finished second and third in voting, respectively, while Sergei Bobrovsky, Carter Verhaeghe and Edmonton’s Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard and Stuart Skinner also appeared on ballots.

Barkov, Forsling and Bobrovsky all presented compelling cases for the Conn Smythe, but none were able to truly distinguish himself from his teammates in what was a true ‘team’ effort. McDavid finished 20 points ahead of Barkov in the playoff scoring race.

Monday marked the sixth instance in the 58 times the Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded that a player from the losing team accepted the award. McDavid joined Anaheim’s Jean-Sebastien Giguere (2003), Ron Hextall (1987), Leach (1976), Glenn Hall (1968) and Roger Crozier (1966).

In the interest of full transparency, the PHWA has once again revealed each individual ballot from all 17 voters:

2024 Conn Smythe Trophy Ballots

VoterOutletFirstSecondThird
Jonathan BernierJournal MontréalMcDavidBarkovVerhaeghe
Per BjurmanAftonbladetMcDavidBarkovBobrovsky
Ryan S. ClarkESPNBobrovskyMcDavidBarkov
Josh ClippertonCanadian PressMcDavidBarkovForsling
Luke FoxSportsnetMcDavidBarkovForsling
François GagnonRDSMcDavidBarkovSkinner
Colby GuyPalm Beach PostMcDavidBarkovForsling
Chris JohnstonThe AthleticMcDavidBarkovForsling
Emily KaplanESPNMcDavidBarkovBobrovsky
Pierre LeBrunThe AthleticMcDavidBarkovForsling
Jim MathesonPostmediaMcDavidHymanBouchard
Jordan McPhersonMiami HeraldMcDavidBarkovVerhaeghe
Daniel Nugent-BowmanThe AthleticMcDavidBarkovBouchard
Michael RussoThe AthleticMcDavidBarkovForsling
Frank SeravalliDaily FaceoffMcDavidBarkovForsling
Mark SpectorSportsnetMcDavidBarkovSkinner
Stephen WhynoAssociated PressMcDavidBarkovForsling

Voting Point Totals

Connor McDavid, Edmonton: 83 points
Aleksander Barkov, Florida: 46 points
Gustav Forsling, Florida: 8 points
Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida: 7 points
Zach Hyman, Edmonton: 3 points
Evan Bouchard, Edmonton: 2 points
Stuart Skinner, Edmonton: 2 points
Carter Verhaeghe, Florida: 2 points

Points were awarded on a 5-3-1 basis and the deadline to submit ballots to the NHL occurred with 10 minutes remaining in Game 7.

Panthers, Stars selected as 2024 Dick Dillman Award winners for PR excellence

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) is pleased to announce that the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars are the 2024 recipients of the Dick Dillman Award, presented annually to honor the excellence of NHL public relations staffs in each conference.
Both the Stars and Panthers have continued their run of distinction in recent years. This marks Florida’s second Dillman Award, and first since 2016, while Dallas receives the recognition for the third time in the last 11 seasons.

Florida PR staff (L-R): Thomas Harding, Julie David, Veronica Lempicki, Adelyn Biedenbach, Chrissy Parente

“Team communication staffs are not just one of the linchpins to storytelling for hockey journalists, but they’re the gateway to earn trust and build relationships within a dressing room. The staffs in Florida and Dallas have shown themselves to be among the class of the league time and again,” PHWA president Frank Seravalli said. “Without their trust and support, it would be near impossible to tell hockey’s stories on a daily basis, and to serve as the conduit between fans and the players and executives they’re hungry to learn more about. Thank you to Adelyn Biedenbach and Joe Calvillo and their teams for setting the bar on how to develop rapport and relationships with the media in 2024.”

The Panthers’ public relations department is led by Adelyn Biedenbach, vice-president of communications, along with director of corporate communications Chrissy Parente, hockey communications manager Thomas Harding, media relations coordinator Veronica Lempicki and communications coordinator Julie David.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from our friends at the PHWA,” Biedenbach said. “Every day, we are grateful to be able to connect our players, staff and executives to the local and national media to tell exciting Panthers stories. We’d like to thank our president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito, head coach Paul Maurice and their respective staffs, as well as our players for their incredible cooperation in continuing to grow the game we all love.”

Dallas PR staff (L-R): Emily Schumacher, Joe Calvillo, Dan Stuchal, Kyle Shohara, Rina Zell.

In Dallas, the Stars’ public relations staff is headed by chief communications officer Dan Stuchal and Joe Calvillo, director of communications, along with communications manager Kyle Shohara, communications manager. communications coordinator Rina Zell and communications assistant Emily Schumacher.

“It is an honor to be selected by the PHWA for this award as we recognize the historical significance Dick Dillman had not just on our franchise, but the entire league,” Calvillo said. “We strive to support local and national media members by providing timely access and the best available resources to tell the stories of our team, none of which we could accomplish without the support and collaboration of our players, coaches, hockey operations and executive staff.”

The Dillman Award is presented in honor of the late Minnesota North Stars public relations guru Dick Dillman. The Dillman committee is chaired by PHWA executive vice president Chris Johnston and features a voting panel of senior PHWA members.

Previous Dillman Award winners:
2022-23: Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers
2021-22: Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild
2020-21: Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins
2019-20: Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild
2018-19: Tampa Bay Lightning, Calgary Flames
2017-18: Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars
2016-17: Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild
2015-16: Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames
2014-15: Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars
2013-14: Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks
2012-13: Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks
2011-12: Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators
2010-11: Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks
2009-10: Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks
2008-09: Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks
2007-08: Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks
2006-07: Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks
2005-06: Minnesota Wild

PHWA reveals 2023 NHL Awards ballots

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Since 1967, the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) has been counted on to independently vote on six major NHL Awards, as well as end-of-season All-Star and All-Rookie teams.

For the sixth consecutive year, the PHWA has published the ballot of each individual voter in the interest of full transparency.

“The 2022-23 NHL season will be remembered forever for some of the most incredible individual performances in decades,” said PHWA President Frank Seravalli. “Once again, the PHWA delivered with an honest and fair voting process that, in the end, recognized extremely deserving winners.

“We’re incredibly proud of the countless hours our voters put into their ballots – researching, watching at the rink, and gathering opinions from trusted sources to make sure we get it right. With more attention and scrutiny on our ballots than ever before, we’ve also put more time and thought into the process.”

The PHWA voting contingent this season included 180 members and 20 invited international broadcasters.

Out of 200 ballots distributed, three selected voters did not return a ballot in the allotted time: Tim Rosenthal (Bruins Daily), Henrik Sjoberg (HockeyNews.Se) and Cheryl Pounder (TSN). As per PHWA policy, those members have lost future voting privileges.

There were also procedural errors in the voting process that resulted in some ballots being rejected. Phil Thompson (Chicago Tribune) made an ineligible selection for the Calder Trophy, which nullified his trophy selections. Marc De Foy (Journal de Montréal), Ken Powtak (Associated Press), Gunnar Nordstrom (Expressen), Scott Powers (The Athletic) and Kyle Fredrickson (Denver Gazette) made omissions resulting in their All-Star team selections being voided. Salim Valji (TSN) and Harman Dayal (The Athletic) made ineligible selections nullifying their All-Rookie team selections.

In total, 200 ballots were distributed and of the 197 that were returned, 196 were counted for trophies, 192 were counted for All-Star teams, and 195 were counted for the All-Rookie team.

Each individual vote can be viewed at the links below:

Hart Memorial Trophy

James Norris Memorial Trophy

Calder Memorial Trophy

Frank J. Selke Trophy

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

2022-23 All-Star Team: Center

2022-23 All-Star Team: Left Wing

2022-23 All-Star Team: Right Wing

2022-23 All-Star Team: Defense

2022-23 All-Star Team: Goaltender

2022-23 All-Rookie Team: Forward

2022-23 All-Rookie Team: Defense

2022-23 All-Rookie Team: Goaltender

—

The PHWA wishes to congratulate all 2023 NHL Award winners and finalists on their well-deserved honors.​​

Hurricanes, Oilers selected as 2023 Dick Dillman Award winners for PR excellence

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

The Professional Hockey Writers Association is pleased to announce the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers have been selected as 2023 winners of the Dick Dillman Award, presented annually to honor the excellence of NHL public relations staffs in each conference.

The Hurricanes are no stranger to the Dillman, having been awarded the Dillman Trophy in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Similarly, the Oilers were honored by the selection committee in 2020-21.

“It’s no secret that PR staffs are one of the linchpins to storytelling for journalists, and the staffs in Edmonton and Carolina have shown themselves to be among the class of the hockey world time and time again,” said PHWA president Frank Seravalli. “Without their assistance and support, we’d have a much more difficult time telling hockey’s stories on a daily basis and serving as the conduit between fans and the players and executives they’re craving to learn more about. Thank you to Mike Sundheim and Jamie Cartmell and their teams for setting the bar for how to develop a rapport and relationship with the media in 2023.”

In Edmonton, the Oilers’ communications department is led by Jamie Cartmell, director of hockey communications, along with hockey communications manager Shawn May. 

“We’re honoured and humbled to be selected as the 2023 Dick Dillman Award winner,” said Cartmell. “Our thanks to not only to the voting members of the PHWA for this recognition, but also our players, coaches and hockey operations staff whose cooperation and willingness to share their time and their stories have made this award possible. Thanks also to those who cover the Edmonton Oilers, your efforts are critical to our success off the ice and it’s our pleasure to work with you.”

The Carolina Hurricanes public relations staff is headed by Mike Sundheim, longtime vice president of communications and team services, along with Mike Brown, manager of communications and David Piper, communications coordinator. 

“We take pride in working with writers from across the league and trying to be as helpful as we can,” Sundheim said. “That wouldn’t be possible without buy-in from our owner, GM, coaching staff and players, and for that we are grateful. Thank you to the PHWA for this honor, which truly means a lot to our staff.”

The Dillman Award is presented in honor of the late, great Minnesota North Stars public relations guru Dick Dillman. The Dillman committee is chaired by Dillman’s daughter, Lisa Dillman, and voting is conducted by a panel of senior PHWA members.

PHWA Ballots: Marchessault’s 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy win

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

LAS VEGAS — Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault was the overwhelmingly choice for 57th winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs by a panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members on Tuesday night.

Marchessault, 32, became the first undrafted player since Wayne Gretzky in 1988 to collect the Conn Smythe Trophy. By scoring 13 clutch goals over Vegas’ playoff run – 10 of which either tied the game or gave the Golden Knights the lead – Marchessault earned 13 of 18 possible first place votes.

Vegas teammates Jack Eichel and Adin Hill finished second and third in voting, respectively, while Golden Knights captain Mark Stone and Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk also garnered votes. Eichel, who paced the postseason in points, earned the other five first place votes.

Over the course of the Golden Knights’ 59-day quest for hockey’s holy grail, Marchessault tied for the postseason lead in goals (13) and finished second in points (25). He registered at least one point in all five of the Stanley Cup Final games, bridging a total 10-game point streak that spanned the last five games of the Western Conference Final. One of the original six Golden Misfits still remaining with the Golden Knights since the 2017 Expansion Draft, Marchessault has appeared in every playoff game in Vegas franchise history.

Marchessault is one of only 10 wingers to win the Conn Smythe, joining Alex Ovechkin (2018), Justin Williams (2014) and Patrick Kane (2013) in the NHL’s salary cap era. The 5-foot-9 native of Cap-Rouge, Quebec, played for three different teams in his first four years in the NHL before being castoff alongside Reilly Smith by the Florida Panthers in the Expansion Draft. Marchessault lifted the Conn Smythe while Smith netted the Cup-clinching goal against their former team in the Final.

In the interest of full transparency, the PHWA has once again revealed each individual ballot for all 18 Conn Smythe voters:

2023 Conn Smythe Trophy ballots from Professional Hockey Writers Association members.

Voting Point Totals
Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas: 80 points (13 first place votes)
Jack Eichel, Vegas: 56 points (5 first place votes)
Adin Hill, Vegas: 17 points
Mark Stone, Vegas: 8 points
Matthew Tkachuk, Florida: 1 point

Points were awarded on a 5-3-1 basis and the deadline to submit ballots to the NHL occurred with 10 minutes remaining in Game 5.

PHWA Ballots: Cale Makar unanimous 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy winner

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

TAMPA, Fla. — Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was unanimously selected as the 56th winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs by a panel of Professional Hockey Writers Association members on Sunday night.

Makar became just the third defenseman in NHL history to collect both the Conn Smythe and Norris trophies in the same season, both voted upon by the PHWA, joining Boston’s Bobby Orr (1970 and 1972) and Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom (2002). He nabbed all 18 first place votes, the first time there has been a unanimous winner since the PHWA began releasing Conn Smythe tabulations five seasons ago.

Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon finished second, while teammate Mikko Rantanen edged out six other vote getters for third place.

Over the course of Colorado’s 56-day climb to the Stanley Cup summit, Makar posted 29 points, the fourth-most by a blueliner in a single postseason in league history. At age 23, Makar became the youngest defenseman in 52 years to win the Conn Smythe (Orr) and is the youngest player since Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews to be named playoff MVP.

Over the 100-plus year history of the NHL, only six defensemen have led the Stanley Cup champion in scoring in the postseason: Makar (2022), Brian Leetch (1994), Al MacInnis (1989), J.C. Tremblay (1966), Tim Horton (1962) and Pierre Pilotte (1961).

In the interest of full transparency, the PHWA has once again revealed each individual ballot for all 18 Conn Smythe voters.

2022 Conn Smythe Trophy ballots from Professional Hockey Writers Association members

Voting point totals:

Cale Makar, Colorado: 90 points (18 first place)
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado: 47 points
Mikko Rantanen, Colorado: 7 points
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay: 4 points
Nazem Kadri, Colorado: 3 points
Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay: 3 points
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay: 3 points
Valeri Nichushkin, Colorado: 3 points
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado: 2 points

Points were awarded on a 5-3-1 basis and the deadline to submit ballots occurred with 10 minutes remaining in Game 6.

PHWA publishes 2022 NHL Awards ballots

Posted on | by Frank Seravalli

TAMPA, Fla. — Since 1967, the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) has been counted on to independently vote on six major NHL Awards, as well as end-of-season All-Star and All-Rookie teams.

For the fifth consecutive year, the PHWA has published the ballot of each individual voter in the interest of full transparency.

“It’s hard to think of an Awards season with more interest or intrigue heading down the stretch, with all-world players like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid going toe-to-toe for the Hart, or Cale Makar and Roman Josi battling for the Norris,” said PHWA President Frank Seravalli. “Once again, the PHWA delivered with an honest and fair voting process that, in the end, recognized extremely deserving winners.

“We’re incredibly proud of the countless hours our voters put into their ballots – researching, watching at the rink, and gathering opinions from trusted sources to make sure we get it right. With more attention and scrutiny on our ballots than ever before, we’ve also put more time and thought into the process.”

After a one-year adjustment to ensure geographical balance in voting as a result of the pandemic shortened season of 2020-21, the PHWA returned to a full voting contingent of 180 members and 20 invited international broadcasters for this season.

Out of 200 ballots distributed, four selected voters did not return a ballot in the allotted time: Kristen Anderson (Calgary), Larry Brooks (New York), Randy Johnson (Minnesota) and Lisa Wallace (Ottawa). As per PHWA policy, those members have lost future voting privileges.

There were also procedural errors in the voting process that resulted in some ballots being rejected. Invited broadcaster Rick Tocchet (Turner Sports) listed four of five required choices for the Norris Trophy, resulting in all of his trophy selections being invalidated, and listed two of three required choices at goaltender, voiding his All-Star team selections. Bruce Garrioch (Ottawa), Lisa Dillman (Los Angeles) and Stephen Conroy (Boston) also made similar omissions, resulting in their All-Star team selections being voided.

In total, 200 ballots were distributed and of the 196 that were returned, 195 were counted for trophies, 192 were counted for All-Star teams, and 196 were counted for the All-Rookie team.

Each individual vote can be viewed at the links below:

Hart Memorial Trophy

James Norris Memorial Trophy

Calder Memorial Trophy

Frank J. Selke Trophy

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

2021-22 All-Star Team: Center

2021-22 All-Star Team: Left Wing

2021-22 All-Star Team: Right Wing

2021-22 All-Star Team: Defense

2021-22 All-Star Team: Goaltender

2021-22 All-Rookie Team: Forward

2021-22 All-Rookie Team: Defense

2021-22 All-Rookie Team: Goaltender

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The PHWA wishes to congratulate all 2022 NHL Award winners and finalists on their well-deserved honors.​​