Former Bronco, Joe Sakic Named NHL MVP

The stars were all out Thursday night in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre for the 2001 NHL Awards Show, and no one shone more brightly than former Swift Current Bronco Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche.

Sakic, who was a finalist for three pieces of hardware (Hart, Selke & Lady Byng), walked away with two Trophies, winning the Hart and the Lady Byng. The Avalanche sniper also became the fourth player in NHL history to captain his club to a Stanley Cup championship and capture the Hart Trophy in the same season.

The Hart Trophy is awarded annually “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.” Sakic, who was a Hart finalist for the first time, finished second in the NHL in scoring with 118 points (54 goals, 64 assists) in 82 games. He led all players in power-play points (46), game-winning goals (12) and was tied for the League-lead in plus-minus (plus-45)

The former Bronco also won his first Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” He appeared in all 82 regular-season games for Colorado and only received 30 minutes in penalties.