Perry tops NHL awards with Hart Trophy

LAS VEGAS, June 22 (UPI) -- Anaheim forward Corey Perry was awarded the Hart Trophy Wednesday as the NHL's most valuable player, highlighting the league's annual award ceremony.

The NHL's traditional collection of honors was dispensed, with Tim Thomas, Nicklas Lidstrom and Jeff Skinner among the key winners.

Perry, who led the league with a career-best 50 goals, became the first Anaheim player to win the Hart Trophy -- and the first North American player to win it since Sidney Crosby did it four years ago. He scored 19 goals in his last 16 games to boost the Ducks from 11th place to the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

He received the Maurice Richard Trophy earlier in the evening, the award that goes to the NHL's top goal scorer.

Vancouver's Henrik Sedin won the Hart last year and his brother Daniel Sedin was one of those nominated this year. Daniel Sedin received the Ted Lindsay Award that goes to the league's top player as selected by members of the NHLPA. Washington's Alex Ovechkin had won the Lindsay Award each of the last three seasons.

Thomas, who led Boston to the Stanley Cup, won the Vezina Trophy that goes to the NHL's best goaltender. He led the league in goals-against average and save percentage and picked up the Conn Smythe Trophy at the end of the Stanley Cup Finals, an award that goes to the MVP of the playoffs.

Lidstrom, of the Detroit Red Wings, captured the Norris Trophy that goes to the best defenseman in the league. Skinner, in his first year with Carolina, won the Calder Trophy that goes to the top rookie.

Other awards included:

-- Mark Messier Leadership Award: Zdeno Chara, Boston.

-- Selke Trophy (best defensive forward): Ryan Kesler, Vancouver.

-- Jack Adams Trophy (best head coach): Dan Bylsma, Pittsburgh.

-- Masterson Trophy (dedication to hockey): Ian Laperrier, Philadelphia.

-- Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship): Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay.