This year’s NHL Awards ceremony took place in Las Vegas on June 23 with all of NHL’s biggest names decked out in their finest to celebrate the season’s top achievers.  So, here’s a look at who took home the hardware on Wednesday night.

Hart Trophy:  Henrik Sedin
The Hart Trophy is awarded to the player that is deemed to be the most valuable to his team.  It’s decided by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in all NHL cities.  Past winners include Wayne Gretsky, Bobby Orr, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, and Mario Lemieux.  It’s no wonder Henrik Sedin has joined this list of prestigious names, as he remained one of the top ranked players throughout the regular season with 29 goals, 83 assists, and 112 points.  He also helped lead his team through to the second round of the Staley Cup Playoffs consistently proving to be a valuable asset.

Venzia Trophy: Ryan Miller
The recipient of this annual NHL award is voted on by the general managers of all NHL clubs and is awarded to the goalie judged to be the best at their position.  This year’s winner, Ryan Miller, had an outstanding season, posting a 48-18-8 record, a 2.22 Goals Against Average, and a 0.929 Save Percentage.  He not only helped the Buffalo Sabres secure a place in the postseason, but also put on an outstanding performance through the 2010 Winter Olympics for Team USA.  He joins a list of the NHL’s most accomplished goalies, including Patrick Roy, Bernie Parent, Jacques Plante, and Martin Brodeur.

James Norris Memorial Trophy: Duncan Keith
This award is given to the defense player that shows the greatest all-around ability throughout the regular season.  It’s decided in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.  This year’s winner, Duncan Keith, was ranked among the top defensive players throughout the regular season.  He racked up 14 goals, 55 assists, 69 points, and the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup as the number one defensive player for the Chicago Blackhawks.  He joins a list of past winners that includes Scott Niedermayer, Nicklas Lindstom, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr.

Calder Memorial Trophy: Tyler Myers
The Calder Memorial Trophy is awarded to the rookie that demonstrates the highest skill in their first year of competition.  It;s decided with a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association with each voter ranking the top five candidates on a point system.  Past winners of this award include Patrick Kane, Evgeni Malkin, Mario Lemieux, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr.  Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres was deemed to be this year’s top rookie as he collected 11 goals, 37 assists, and 48 points while showing great proficiency and calm under pressure.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Martin St Louis
This prestigious piece of hardware is awarded to the player that demonstrates the best sportsmanship and overall gentlemanly conduction combined with the highest playing ability throughout the regular season.  This year’s recipient, Martin St Louis, was decided upon by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.  St Louis faired well throughout the season with 29 goals, 65 assists, and 94 points, but it was his calm and collected nature that put him at the front of the running for this year’s award.  He joins such previous winners as Wayne Gretsky, Frank Boucher, Bobby Hull, and Pavel Datsyuk.

Frank J Selke Trophy: Pavel Datsyuk
Awarded to the forward player that displays the best defensive abilities, this trophy is one of the newer additions to the NHL Awards.  The winner is decided by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association.  Past winners include Steve Yzerman, Guy Carbonneau, and Bob Gainey.  Pavel Datsyuk, a center for Detroit, has proven to be a master of the back check as he was reliably found helping the defense clear the puck from the defensive zone throughout the regular season.  His efforts helped the Red Wings secure a top eight rank, and helped them through to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  All of this while picking up 27 goals, 43 assists, and 70 points.

Jack Adams Award: Dave Tippett
This award is one for the coaches.  It’s presented by the National Hockey League Broadcasters’ Association, and is given to the coach that has shown the most contribution to his team’s success.  Past winners of this award include Jacques Martin, Bruce Boudreau, Jacques Lemaire, and Pat Quinn.  This year’s winner, Dave Tippett, came to the Phoenix Coyotes at their worst possible moment.  It was a team struggling with financial troubles while ranking among the worst in the league.  With Tippett’s leadership the team not only saw some of the highest attendance rates in franchise history, but they also achieved a number three ranking in the season as well as a place in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Jose Theodore
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player that demonstrates the highest quality of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.  It is awarded under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.  Jose Theodore joins a long list of prestigious winners, which includes Phil Kessel, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and Bob Bourne.

Ted Lindsay Award: Alex Ovechkin
Formerly known as the Lester B Pearson Award, this trophy is given to the “most outstanding player” as voted by the fellow players of the National League Players’ Association.  This year’s winner, Alex Ovechkin, has won the award the previous three years.  His talents on the ice speak for themselves as he is consistently ranked among the top players in the NHL.  Other winners include Dominik Jasek, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Brett Bull, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Guy Lafluer.

Bridestone Messier Leadership Award: Sidney Crosby
This is one of the newest additions to the NHL Awards ceremony as it was first awarded after the 2006-07 season.  It’s given to the player that displays the greatest leadership qualities to his team.  The NHL takes suggestions for the nominees of this award from the fans, clubs, and NHL personnel.  The winner is ultimately decided by Mark Messier himself.  Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has consistently been a huge force for his team.  Not only did he rack up 51 goals, 58 assists, and 109 points this season, but also helped lead the Penguins to a playoff run, and secured the gold medal for Team Canada with an overtime goal against Team USA at this year’s Winter Games.

NHL Foundation Award: Ryan Miller
Introduced in 1998, this trophy is awarded to player that applies the principles of commitment, perseverance, and teamwork to off the ice activities aimed at benefitting the community around them.  Past winners include Kelly Chase, Joe Sakic, Marty Turco, and Olaf Kolzig.

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