MacKinnon the clear MVP

Avalanche star wins Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award after incredible 51-goal, 140-point season

- KEVIN MCGRAN

Nathan MacKinnon poses with the Ted Lindsay Award, left, and Hart Memorial Trophy. “I honestly never thought I’d win these. Every player I grew up idolizing has their name on these things. It’s surreal,” he said. “I know it’s an individual award, but you really feel connected to these all-time greats.”

LAS VEGAS Nathan MacKinnon has clearly joined elite status in the NHL.

The Avalanche star swept both awards he was up for on Thursday night, taking the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player to his team as voted on by the media that cover the NHL, and the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding as voted on by the players who play the game.

“It’s really cool,” MacKinnon said after the NHL Awards show wrapped up at the luxurious Fontainebleau Las Vegas, both trophies on the podium as he spoke. “I honestly never thought I’d win these. Every player I grew up idolizing has their name on these things. It’s surreal. It hasn’t really sunk in.

“I know it’s an individual award, but you really feel connected to these all-time greats.”

By connected, he might as well mean via his phone. Of course his friend, training partner, and Cole Harbour, N.S., neighbour Sidney Crosby, gave him a call right away.