Henrik Sedin snags NHL MVP honors

Henrik Sedin was awarded the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player, as Alex Ovechkin's bid for a three-peat was denied.

Sedin, the Vancouver Canucks star who had a league-best 83 assists, was honored Wednesday during the NHL's annual awards ceremony.

Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, was runner-up in the voting after taking the prize the past two seasons.

"It's a strange feeling," Sedin said. "I'm very proud, so it's a great honor."

Sedin received 46 of 133 first-place votes, Ovechkin was second with 40, and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby finished third with 20. Sedin had 894 total points compared with 834 for Ovechkin.

"These players are second to none," said Sedin, who called Crosby and Ovechkin the faces of the sport.

"I mean, I thought the Hart was going to be really, really tough. I thought that was going to be out of the question," Sedin said. "But I'm happy. I'll take this."

Ovechkin was honored by his fellow players, winning the award for top player that is presented by the NHL Players' Association.

"Life goes on, so it's OK," Ovechkin said. "By the players - it's the most important thing."

Ovechkin would have been the first three-peat winner of the Hart since Canadian great Wayne Gretzky won eight straight from 1980 to 1987.

Sedin posted a career high 112 points, 30 more than his previous best. Crosby tied for the NHL lead with 51 goals and was second with 109 points. He won the Hart in 2007.

Sedin said he never expected his name to be included among league MVPs.

"It's all those great players and it's me that wants to say, 'I'm sure Alex will be on there in the next couple of years, too,"' Sedin said. "I don't know what to say. It's almost like I'm not really fitting there."

Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers won the Calder Trophy as the league's rookie of the year.

Dave Tippett of Phoenix won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's outstanding coach after leading his team to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

The Coyotes set club records with 50 wins and 107 points. Tippett received 57 of 59 first-place votes in balloting by the NHL Broadcasters' Association.

Duncan Keith of Chicago won the Norris Trophy awarded to the NHL's top defenseman, while Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk won a third straight Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward.

Tampa Bay forward Martin St. Louis won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship after posting only 12 penalty minutes.