Posted by Skip Coopersmith

NASHVILLE (June 26, 2023) – Center Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is the 2022-23 recipient of the Hart Memorial Trophy, presented “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

McDavid has claimed the Hart Trophy for the third time (also 2016-17 and 2020-21), becoming the fifth player to take home the award at least three times within his first eight NHL seasons, after Wayne Gretzky (8x), Bobby Clarke (3x), Bobby Orr (3x) and Alex Ovechkin (3x).

The Oilers captain was a near-unanimous choice, receiving the first-place vote on 195 of the 196 ballots for 1,951 voting points. David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins, appearing on 184 ballots in compiling 1,053 points, finished in second place, followed by Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers (741 points).

McDavid registered career highs in goals (64), assists (89) and points (153) across 82 games to become the fifth different player to outright pace the NHL in all three categories and the first since Gretzky in 1986-87 (62-121—183 in 79 GP w/ EDM). McDavid’s 64 goals were the most by any player since 2007-08 (Ovechkin: 65 G in 82 GP w/ WSH), while his 153 points were the highest total since 1995-96 (Mario Lemieux: 69-92—161 in 70 GP w/ PIT). He found the scoresheet in 75 of his 82 appearances (91.5%), the highest percentage by any player in a single season (minimum: 50 GP) since Gretzky in 1990-91 (93.6%, 73 of 78 GP w/ LAK), and factored on a League-high 47.1 percent of his team’s total goals (325, excluding shootout-deciding goals).

For more on the Hart Trophy, including a list of past winners, click here.

COURTESY NHLmedia.com