Lidstrom, Datsyuk Claim Awards

Detroit Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk were honored with NHL awards Thursday night, repeating as the winners of the James Norris Trophy and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, respectively.

Lidstrom won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman for the fifth time, matching a feat accomplished by Ray Bourque. Only Bobby Orr (eight) and Doug Harvey (seven) have won it more times.

“Ray Bourque was a player that I looked up to,” Lidstrom said. “I really enjoyed watching him play. Being mentioned with names like Bobby Orr and Doug Harvey, it’s quite an honor.”

Datsyuk was awarded his second Lady Byng, given for gentlemanly play and sportsmanship.

Datsyuk was not present to accept the award. Detroit general manager Ken Holland did so on his behalf.

“He plays the game the right way,” Lidstrom said of Datsyuk. “He has fun out on the ice, and he exemplifies the sportsmanship (part of the trophy). He should be very proud.”

Pittsburgh Penguins’ sophomore Sidney Crosby took home the most hardware of anyone, claiming the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP and the Lester B. Pearson Award as the most outstanding player (as voted by the NHLPA) to go along with the Art Ross Trophy that he had already locked up by being the league’s leading scorer.

Crosby’s teammate, Evgeni Malkin, went home with the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.

New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur claimed his third Vezina Trophy in the last four years as the league’s best goalie. Netminders Nicklas Backstrom and Manny Fernandez shared the William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals against.

Rod Brind’Amour, captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, was named the league’s best defensive forward, repeating as the winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy.

Alain Vigneault of the Vancouver Canucks was named the coach of the year, winning the Jack Adams Award.

Saku Koivu was awarded the King Clancy Award for humanitarian contribution to hockey.

Boston Bruins’ rookie Phil Kessel was given the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Kessel was diagnosed with, treated for, and recovered from testicular cancer all in his first NHL campaign.

Tamapa Bay Lightning forward Vincent Lecavalier claimed the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the league’s top goal-scorer.