LAS VEGAS — Nate the Great.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is the 2023-24 recipient of the NHL's Hart Memorial Trophy, presented “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The 28-year-old MacKinnon – a Hart Trophy finalist for the fourth time after finishing third in voting in 2020-21, second in 2019-20 and second in 2017-18 – joins Peter Forsberg (2002-03) and Joe Sakic (2000-01) as the third player in Avalanche/Nordiques history to win the award.
He also won his first Ted Lindsay Award to begin the night, for the same criteria but voted on by the NHL Players Association.
MacKinnon had a career-high 140 points this season. He won the award for the first time. He opened the season with a 35-game points streak at home, second all-time only to Wayne Gretzky.
"To have the respect of my peers is amazing. Very humbling," MacKinnon said on stage when accepting the award. "It's a true team award. Hockey is the ultimate team sport."
MacKinnon finished the season with 54 goals and 89 assists, edging out Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was a finalist for the Norris Memorial Trophy, given to the league's top defensive player.
He finished third (893 votes), behind Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks (1,864 votes-winner) and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators (1,207 votes-runner up).
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Sports
9NEWS+
Watch more from 9NEWS on the free 9NEWS+ app for Roku and Fire TV.
9NEWS+ has multiple live daily shows including 9NEWS Mornings, Next with Kyle Clark and 9NEWS+ Daily, an original streaming program. 9NEWS+ is where you can watch live breaking news, weather updates, and press conferences. You can also replay recent newscasts and find videos on demand of our top stories, local politics, investigations and Colorado specific features.
To download 9NEWS+ on Roku search for KUSA.
To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS.
RELATED: Watch 9NEWS for free on ROKU, Apple TV, Fire TV
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
