Las Vegas, NV

Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry was recognized with the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player, while Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas added a Vezina Trophy to his postseason honor roll at the 2011 NHL Awards at Pearl Theater in Palms Casino Wednesday night.

It marked the first time in Anaheim franchise history the Hart Trophy went to a Ducks player.

Perry, who also won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer with a career-best 50 goals, went on to capture the goal title with his brilliant finishing kick, as he scored 19 times in Anaheim's final 16 contests of the season.

That scoring surge not only helped him reach the 50-goal mark for the first time in his career, but also helped carry Anaheim from 11th to fourth in the Western Conference during that period.

It enabled him to steal the Hart Trophy race from Vancouver's Daniel Sedin, who received the Ted Lindsay Award, the players' MVP award, and the Art Ross Trophy as the League's top point-getter earlier in the ceremony.

It denied Daniel Sedin the chance to replicate the feat of his twin brother, Henrik, who brought home the hardware last season.

Meanwhile, reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Thomas added his second Vezina Trophy in three seasons to his recent Stanley Cup title.

Thomas, who finished the campaign with a record of 35-11-9 to help the Bruins to the Northeast Division crown, set an NHL mark for save percentage at .938 and a league-low 2.00 GAA and nine shutouts.

Those impressive stats allowed the 37-year-old Michigan native to win over fellow Vezina finalists - - Canucks' Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne of Nashville.

Despite failing short in their Stanley Cup bid, the Western Conference champion Canucks had five of its personnel recognized Wednesday night.

Apart from Sedin, Ryan Kesler was awarded the Selke Trophy as the League's best defensive forward, while Luongo and Cory Schneider were recognized with the William Jennings Trophy for allowing the combined fewest goals on the club during the regular season.

For his outstanding effort in rebuilding the Canucks that led to the Presidents' Trophy, GM Mike Gillis was honored with the General Manager of the Year award.

Penguins' Dan Bylsma, who despite the absence of injured star forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, managed to steer Pittsburgh to the playoffs, was recognized for his sterling job with the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year.

New York Islanders center Doug Weight, who joined the team's front office and coaching staff after his recent retirement, was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian efforts.

Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis, the third MVP finalist, raised his second consecutive Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for gentlemanly and excellent play.

Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom also returned to the podium this year for his seventh Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman.

Flyers forward Ian Laperriere was awarded the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his perseverance following a likely career-ending injury in 2010.

Meanwhile, Hurricanes' 19-year-old sensation Jeff Skinner went on to take the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

 

 

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