NHL awards tracker 2021: Full list of finalists, winners for Hart, Vezina, Norris and more

Like in 2020, there won’t be a glitzy Las Vegas awards show. And, like in 2020, that won’t stop the NHL’s best and brightest from getting their hardware.

The NHL started handing out its 2021 awards on June 14, although we knew a few winners beforehand.

Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy with 41 goals during the regular season. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the Art Ross Trophy with an NHL-best 105 points. He scored 21 more points than the No. 2 guy on the list, teammate Leon Draisaitl. Matthews and McDavid are also up for the Hart Trophy. The Golden Knights goalie tandem of Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner snagged the 2021 William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals against (124). It marked the first time Fleury won the award; Lehner won it in 2019 with Thomas Greiss for the Islanders.

Sporting News has all the award winners below.

King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the player who shows “leadership on and off the ice and who has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.” The trophy winner is selected by a committee of senior NHL executives that includes commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly.

Finalists: Kurtis Gabriel (San Jose Sharks), Pekka Rinne (Nashville Predators), P.K. Subban (New Jersey Devils)

Winner: Pekka Rinne

The long-time Predators netminder, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, has become entrenched in Nashville’s community. In 2012-13 he started, with then-captain Shea Weber, the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund that has raised more than $3 million for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Vanderbilt, Tenn. With his Trophy, the NHL will also donate $25,000 — which is being matched by the Preds Foundation to the fund. Rinne also works with organizations like Best Buddies, Make-A-Wish and the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s and spearheaded other initiatives throughout the pandemic including providing free coffee and meals to front-line workers.

“After spending 15 years with the same organization and in the same city, and with the opportunities I’ve had through local charities in my community – this is very special to me,” Rinne said in Nashville’s release. “At the same time, I was to congratulate P.K. and Kurtis on their nomination and for everything they do for their communities. I want to thank the Predators and the Predators Foundation for letting us players get involved and help in our community. I also want to recognize Shea Weber, who helped start the 365 Fund with me. This award means a lot to me and my family, and it’s a huge honor.”

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Finalists: Matt Dumba (Minnesota Wild), Oskar Lindblom (Philadelphia Flyers), Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks)

Winner: Oskar Lindblom

A finalist last season, Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in December 2019 and missed the majority of the 2019-20 regular season before returning in September for the Flyers in the bubble. This season, he played in 50 games and recorded eight goals and six assists. In March, he was again declared cancer-free following another scan.

“I feel very, very honored and proud to win this award and to compete with these types of players like Matt Dumba and Patrick Marleau that are great players and great people on and off the ice. It’s very special for me,” Lindblom said per the team’s release. “Just to be able to get back on the ice again was so, so good and I can’t say more than that. It was an awesome feeling to be back on the ice again.”

A $2,500 grant from the PHWA will be awarded to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund in the name of Lindblom.

Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award

Named after the first Black player to play in the NHL, this award goes to an individual who has made a positive impact on their community, culture or society to make people better through hockey. The award is now in its third year, and the winner is selected via votes by fans, the NHL and MassMutual. The winner is awarded $25,000 and the other two finalists receive $5,000 each.

Finalists: Renee Hess (Black Girl Hockey Club), Kevin Hodgson (HEROS), Howard Smith (Pittsburgh I.C.E.)

Winner: Kevin Hodgson

A part of the Hockey Is For Everyone program, Hodgson serves as the executive director for the Canada-based HEROS (Hockey Education Reaching Out Society, which empowers at-risk youth) and SuperHEROS (provides boys and girls living with physical and cognitive challenges with a safe and inclusive environment as well as an adapted on-ice curriculum). The nonprofit is located in 12 cities, with 28 programs, and not only includes on-ice programming but also education and scholarship assistance off the ice.

“The work that Kevin, Norm Flynn, and the entire HEROS team have been doing for the past 20 years is remarkable,” Willie O’Ree said, per the NHL’s press release. “HEROS has been a leader in the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone network for decades. Kevin’s dedication has positively impacted thousands of children and their families across Canada, and his leadership has set a standard for how hockey program directors everywhere work in their communities. I’m proud to present this year’s Award to such a deserving organization. Congratulations Kevin.”

Jack Adams Award

Awarded to the NHL’s best head coach by the NHL’s Broadcasters’ Association.

Finalists: Rod Brind’Amour (Carolina Hurricanes), Dean Evason (Minnesota Wild), Joel Quenneville (Florida Panthers)

Winner: Will be announced on Thurs., June 17

Frank J. Selke Trophy

Voted on by the PHWA, this trophy is awarded to the NHL’s best defensive forward.

Finalists: Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers), Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins), Mark Stone (Vegas Golden Knights)

Winner: Will be announced on Fri., June 18

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the player who combines sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a high level of play, as voted on by the PHWA.

Finalists: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes), Jared Spurgeon (Minnesota Wild)

Winner: Will be announced on Sat., June 19

Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award

Awarded to the NHL’s best GM since the 2009-10 season by a panel of general managers, NHL executives and members of the media.

Finalists: Will be announced on June 17

Winner: Will be announced on Sun., June 20

Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award

Awarded to the player “who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season.” A Hall of Famer and six-time Stanley Cup champion, Messier makes the final decision on who wins this award.

Winner: Will be announced on Mon., June 21

Calder Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the NHL’s best rookie. The PHWA votes on this award.

Finalists: Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild), Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina Hurricanes), Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars)