NHLPA MEMBERS SELECT ALEXANDER OVECHKIN AS THE 2009-10 TED LINDSAY AWARD RECIPIENT
LAS VEGAS (June 23, 2010) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) today announced Alexander Ovechkin as the inaugural recipient of the 2009-10 Ted Lindsay Award, presented annually to the “Most Outstanding Player” in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA. Ted Lindsay was on hand to present the players’ award as part of the 2010 NHL Awards, held at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. Ted Lindsay Award finalists, Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, were also in attendance.
"I'd like to congratulate Alex Ovechkin on receiving this award after another great year. Receiving this nod of respect from your peers carries a lot of meaning, and I know Alex will cherish this honour," said Lindsay, following the presentation of the first Ted Lindsay Award.
Ovechkin, of Moscow, Russia, is now the three-time defending recipient of the NHLPA’s “Most Outstanding Player” award, the first player since Wayne Gretzky to do so and also just the third player out of the award’s 22 recipients to accomplish this feat (along with Guy Lafleur, 1975-76 – 1977-78). He appeared in 72 games for the Washington Capitals in 2009-10, finishing amid the top-three players in the league in points (109) and goals (50), while leading the Capitals to their third-consecutive Southeast Division title in 2009-10, as well as to the first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history. This is the third straight season that Ovechkin reached the 100-point plateau and tallied more than 50 goals – reaching the 50-goal plateau for the fourth time in his five-year career.
On April 29, 2010, the Ted Lindsay Award was introduced, and it remains the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established by the Lester B. Pearson Award. The Award honours Ted Lindsay, an All-Star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership and his role in establishing the original Players' Association.
In recognition of being named the 2009-10 Ted Lindsay Award winner, Ovechkin was presented with an elegant men’s watch from Breitling.
Fans and media are encouraged to visit www.nhlpa.com/About-Us/Ted-Lindsay-Award to view further background information on the Ted Lindsay Award and in-depth finalist profiles.
2009-10 Ted Lindsay Award Recipient
Alexander Ovechkin
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 220 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Age: 24
Born: Moscow, Russia
Date of Birth: 09/17/1985
Entry: Selected 1st Round, 1st Overall by the Washington Capitals
in the 2004 Entry Draft
Career Achievements:
Lester B. Pearson Award (2008, 2009); Ted Lindsay Award (2010)
Hart Trophy (2008, 2009)
Art Ross Trophy winner (2008)
Maurice Richard Trophy (2008, 2009)
Calder Trophy winner (2006)
Named to First All-Star Team (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
“Most Outstanding Player” Award Recipients:
Lester B. Pearson Award
1983-84Wayne Gretzky
1997-98Dominik Hasek
1970-71Phil Esposito
1984-85Wayne Gretzky
1998-99Jaromir Jagr
1971-72Jean Ratelle
1985-86Mario Lemieux
1999-00Jaromir Jagr
1972-73Bobby Clarke
1986-87Wayne Gretzky
2000-01Joe Sakic
1973-74Phil Esposito
1987-88Mario Lemieux
2001-02Jarome Iginla
1974-75Bobby Orr
1988-89Steve Yzerman
2002-03Markus Naslund
1975-76Guy Lafleur
1989-90Mark Messier
2003-04Martin St. Louis
1976-77Guy Lafleur
1990-91Brett Hull
2005-06Jaromir Jagr
1977-78Guy Lafleur
1991-92Mark Messier
2006-07Sidney Crosby
1978-79Marcel Dionne
1992-93Mario Lemieux
2007-08Alexander Ovechkin
1979-80Marcel Dionne
1993-94Sergei Fedorov
2008-09Alexander Ovechkin
1980-81Mike Liut
1994-95Eric Lindros
Ted Lindsay Award
1981-82Wayne Gretzky
1995-96Mario Lemieux
2009-10 Alexander Ovechkin
1982-83Wayne Gretzky
1996-97Dominik Hasek
