Ovechkin big winner at NHL gala

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-14  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

WASHINGTON Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin had a season to remember, signing a 13-year US$124 million contract, winning a world championship gold medal and claiming four of the NHL's most coveted awards.

However, the gap-toothed, 22-year-old did not sound particularly satisfied as he accepted the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player on Thursday - the Russian was disappointed his haul did not include a Stanley Cup.

"I want to win, I want to win everything," ]shrugged Ovechkin. "If I have a chance to win, why not? If I play for Capitals, I play for the Stanley Cup, if I play for Russia it is the Olympics.

"I am happy we won the world championship, so next step is the Stanley Cup or Olympic gold medal."

With Ovechkin leading a late season charge, the Capitals made it to the post-season for the first time since 2003 before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers. He has blossomed into the NHL's most dynamic talent, capturing the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading points scorer (112) and the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy for leading the league in goals (65).

Ovechkin also picked up the Lester B. Pearson Award as the NHL's outstanding player chosen by his peers, marking the first time a player has held all four trophies in the same year.

Other awards handed out at the NHL's gala evening included a sixth Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman for Nicklas Lidstrom, the Swedish captain of the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. Only two players have won more Norris trophies - Hall of Famers Bobby Orr (8) and Doug Harvey (7).

Teammate Pavel Datsyuk picked up two trophies - the Frank Selke (top defensive forward) and Lady Byng (most gentlemanly player) - while netminders Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek shared the Jennings Trophy for posting the lowest goals against average during the regular season.