As Expected, Ovechkin Wins Calder Trophy

2006 NHL Award Winners

Lester Pearson (MVP as voted on by the players) -- Jaromir Jagr, New York Rangers
Lady Byng (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct) -- Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Jack Adams Award (coach of the year) -- Lindy Ruff (Buffalo Sabres)
Vezina Trophy (outstanding goaltender) -- Miikka Kiprusoff (Calgary Flames)
Masteron Trophy (perseverance and dedication to hockey) -- Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (goal-scoring leader) -- Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (leadership and humanitarian contributions) -- Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals
Frank J. Selke Trophy (defensive forward) -- Rod Brind'amour, Carolina Hurricanes
Norris Trophy (top defenseman) -- Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) -- Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Hart Trophy (MVP) -- Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks

By Karen Price
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 23, 2006

VANCOUVER -- Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin finished four points apart in scoring in 2005-06, Crosby with 102 points and Ovechkin with 106.

The voting for the Calder Trophy for the rookie of the year award wasn't nearly as close.

As expected, Ovechkin took home the honor Thursday and was a near-unanimous selection, receiving 124 of 129 first-place votes and five second-place votes for a total of 1,275 points. Crosby finished second with four first-place votes and 95 second-place votes for 831 points. Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf had no first-place votes and finished in third with 580 points.

"To win the Calder Trophy means a lot," the 20-year-old Moscow native said. "It means a lot. I don't have words. I could tell you in Russian."

Before the ceremony, Crosby, all decked out in a tuxedo, walked the red carpet at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts with Ovechkin, and the two gave interviews in front of the television cameras seated next to one another.

Earlier in the day, Crosby, 18, said he wouldn't be disappointed if he didn't win the trophy.

"Not at all," Crosby said. "By no means am I going to measure my season based on this. It's a bonus if I get it, but if not, it's not something I'm going to be too disappointed about or put a lot of emphasis on. It'd be nice, but I'm not measuring my season on it."

Crosby, who led all rookies in assists with 63 and became the youngest player in the history of the NHL to reach 100 points, was named to the All-Rookie Team and finished third in voting for the All-Star Team at the center position.

He said before the event that he was just enjoying being part of what he's watched on television so many times before. And he also was enjoying getting to know his main competition for the award, too.

"It's nice to get to hang out with (Ovechkin) and talk a little bit," Crosby said. "Obviously, when we play each other, we don't get that chance. I think in the media it's always built up as such a rivalry, and we don't really know each other, so it was nice just to meet him. It's fun to see there's another guy going through a lot of similar things, and we can relate to a lot of the same things, so it's pretty unique."

Ovechkin, who became the second rookie in history to tally 50 goals and 100 points in a season, had similar good things to say about Crosby.

"We speak a little bit," Ovechkin said before the ceremony. "He's a great player, and he's a good person. I wish him good luck."

Crosby said he feels like he met the goals he set for himself coming into the season.

"I just wanted to come in and adjust as soon as I could and just play the same type of game at the same type of level that I did in other leagues," he said. "I felt I adjusted pretty fast and felt comfortable, so I'm pretty happy."

The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on the Hart, Norris Selke, Lady Byng, Calder and Masterton Trophies. The general managers vote on the Vezina Trophy, while the NHL Broadcasters' Association votes on the Jack Adams Award. The King Clancy Award is voted on by a panel of representatives from the PHWA and NHLBA. All voting is done at the conclusion of the regular season.

Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar received one third-place vote for the NHL All-Star Team and one fifth-place vote for the Norris Trophy for the top defenseman. Crosby received one second-place vote for the Lady Byng.

Karen Price can be reached at kprice@tribweb.com.