Artists color war-torn Iraq
Toronto, CANADA
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Nice-on-ice Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche is one
contender for trophies handed out in the spring.
Toronto, CANADA – ALike soccer, hockey is a diverse sport
because it brings together great players from all over the world.
The National Hockey League (NHL) has popularized the sport,
not only in America, but in other countries.
Each year during the playoffs, the NHL hands out its awards for
the season. The most famous individual performance award is the
Hart Trophy. This award is given out to the player with the best
season. It’s also known as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). The
NHL narrows the selection down to three finalists.
Known as Sid the Kid, Sidney Crosby, 19, of the Pittsburgh Penguins
is one of the three top contenders. Crosby, a center, led the NHL in
scoring in only his second year in the league. Last year, Crosby finished
second in the Rookie of the Year voting. Many people have compared
Crosby to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. In 1980, Gretzky was
awarded the Hart Trophy also at the age of 19.
Martin Brodeur, goaltender for the New Jersey Devils, broke a
33-year-old winning-game record. While Brodeur was in the net, the
Devils won a record-high 48 games this season. This will be the third
time Brodeur has been a finalist for the trophy but has not won it.
The third finalist for the MVP award is
another goaltender, Canadian Roberto
Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks. Luongo
had a great season as well, tying the record
that Brodeur eventually broke, winning 47
games this year. The Hart Trophy will be
announced June 14 in Toronto, Canada.
The Hart Trophy is given to the Most Valuable
Player (MVP) in hockey.
Other awards
Paul Stastny of the Colorado Avalanche is a finalist for the
Calder Memorial Trophy for being an outstanding rookie
(first year player). Avalanche captain Joe Sakic is nominated
for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and
gentlemanly conduct. Sakic, 37, is known for being a fair player
and inspiring leader to the younger players on the ice.
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