NHLPA members select Connor McDavid as 2017-18 Ted Lindsay Award recipient

…First two-time TLA recipient before age of 22

LAS VEGAS/ TORONTO (June 20, 2018) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today at the 2018 NHL Awards™ presented by Hulu that Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is the recipient of the 2017-18 Ted Lindsay Award (TLA) after garnering the most votes from the players for his exceptional season. The TLA is presented annually “to the most outstanding player in the NHL,” as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.

Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche both finished as first-time finalists for the TLA. Hall placed sixth in the league in points (93), which were 41 more than his next-closest teammate. MacKinnon co-led the league in game-winning goals (12) and placed second in points per game (1.31).

McDavid is the first player in the history of the TLA to receive the players’ award twice before the age of 22. This is only the 16th time that the players’ choice for most outstanding player differed from the Hart Trophy winner.

Former recipients Eric Lindros (1994-95) and Daniel Sedin (2010-11) presented the TLA to McDavid during the NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

McDavid played in all 82 regular-season games for the Edmonton Oilers, for the second straight season. The Oilers’ captain led the league in points (108) to win his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy, while recording the third-most assists (67), scoring the sixth-most goals (41) and placing first in points per game (1.32). McDavid led the NHL in multi-point games (32), as well as even-strength goals (35), assists (49) and points (84) – finishing with 18 points more than the second-ranked player in the latter category. Among league forwards, he finished fourth in average ice-time per game (21:33). Last season, the 21-year-old became the third Oilers player (Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier) to be named the most outstanding player by his peers. He is also the first back-to-back recipient of the TLA since Sidney Crosby (2012-13, 2013-14).

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 by the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1970-71. Reintroduced in 2009-10, the TLA honours Ted Lindsay – its namesake – an NHL All-Star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership, and role in establishing the original Players’ Association. Annually, NHLPA members vote on the player they deem to be the most outstanding in the NHL regular season. For more information on the TLA, visit NHLPA.com. Join the conversation by using #TedLindsayAward.