Canadiens’ Carey Price: Big Winner At NHL Awards

Jun 24, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; P.K. Subban on the red carper during the 2015 NHL Awards at MGM Grand. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Canadiens were well represented. Though P.K. Subban lost the Norris Trophy to Erik Karlsson, he hosted the backstage segments and reported a few times about what was happening on social media. He’s got a dynamic personality and was well suited for the job. His outfits were also eye-catching, and as usual, Subban’s showmanship added to what was an otherwise lackluster production.

There were some bright spots – Jordyn Leopold – daughter of Minnesota Wild defenseman Jordan Leopold – presented an award with Gary Bettman. Jordyn made instant headlines when she wrote a letter to the GM of the Wild, asking that they speak to the Columbus Blue Jackets (where Leopold played at the time) to arrange a trade with them, as she missed her father. She got her wish and her father was traded.

An incredibly heartfelt and classy segment came when Ottawa Senators fan, Jonathan Pitre, was honored.  Pitre, 14 years old, suffers from a rare skin condition known as epipidermolysis bullosa, and was honored during Round 1 of playoffs at the Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa.

At the awards, his condition was explained and he was shown in a short filmed segment, after which he was introduced on the stage. Wearing a suit given to him by Pittsburgh Penguins‘ Sidney Crosby, he was then greeted by some of the players from the Senators – including newly presented Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, Daniel Alfredsson, Mark Stone, Andrew Hammond and Cody Ceci and GM Bryan Murray.

He learned that he would be attending the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in Nashville and that a sizable donation was being made to DEBRA Canada Organization, an organization that does research into epipidermolysis bullosa.

Erik Karlsson said to Jonathan, “To us you’re a hero.” It was a moment of pure class. And Pitre had no knowledge of this event. As reported in the Ottawa Sun, he stated, “I have no idea what’s going on right now,” before things got underway.

It was another shining moment in the ceremonies. For most of the evening, it was painfully obvious that these awards are not the productions we are used to in the Academy Awards, the Emmy or Grammy Awards, but a sports event.

There were halfhearted attempts to be funny. The best moments came when the athletes accepted their awards. The candor of their speeches, their visible gratitude to the voters.

Carey Price was the star of the night, though.

Halfway through the evening, he was named the winner of the Vezina Trophy – outstanding goaltender. This was not a surprise. In fact, throughout the season, the word “Vezina” was never far from the name “Carey Price.”

The results – released to writers after each award was presented – were almost unanimous. Still, it was a moment of pride for Habs fans watching at home. And Price’s second acceptance speech showed where his heart lies:

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