LEON DRAISAITL VOTED 2019-20 TED LINDSAY AWARD RECIPIENT BY NHLPA MEMBERS
…First German-born recipient of TLA
TORONTO (Sept. 21, 2020) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) today announced Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers has received the players’ vote for the 2019-20 Ted Lindsay Award (TLA). The TLA is presented annually “to the most outstanding player in the NHL,” as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.
Draisaitl is the first German-born recipient in the history of the TLA. He receives the accolade as a first-time finalist for the TLA – the 49th season of the award. Forwards Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche and Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers also finished as finalists for this season’s TLA.
Draisaitl played in all 71 of Edmonton’s regular-season games as he helped lead the Oilers to the fifth-best points percentage in the Western Conference. The 24-year-old forward of Germany (Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia) led the NHL in points per game (1.55), assists (67), power-play points (44) and average ice time among forwards (22:37), while he tied for first in game-winning goals (10). Draisaitl topped all scorers with 110 points – the first German-born player to win the Art Ross Trophy. He also finished second in both even-strength points (66) and power-play goals (16), and he placed fourth in goals (43) on the season. Draisaitl becomes the third TLA recipient in four seasons for the Oilers, following teammate Connor McDavid’s back-to-back awards (2016-17, 2017-18).
The 2019-20 TLA recipient was unveiled this evening during “2020 NHL Awards presented by Las Vegas.”
About the Ted Lindsay Award:
The Ted Lindsay Award (TLA) is unique as the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established with the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1970-71. NHLPA members annually vote on the player they deem to be the most outstanding in the NHL regular season. Reintroduced in 2009-10, the TLA honours the legacy of its late namesake, Ted Lindsay – an NHL All-Star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership, and role in establishing the original Players’ Association. For more information on the TLA, visit NHLPA.com. Join the conversation by using #TedLindsayAward.
