NHL: Florida Panthers' Tkachuk Named Finalist for Hart Memorial Trophy

-

 SUNRISE, Fla. - The National Hockey League announced hat Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has been named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded annually ‘to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.’ Tkachuk joins Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak as a finalist.

“From Day 1, Matthew showcased not only his elite talent, but his equally unmatched compete level and character throughout his first season,” said General Manager Bill Zito.  “His work ethic, confidence and humility have continued to transform our locker room, redefining our thresholds for accountability, commitment, and leadership. He has raised the bar with regard to professionalism and has furthered our goal of making it a privilege to wear the Florida Panthers shield. We are thrilled for him to be nominated for this prestigious award.” 

 

In his first season in South Florida, Tkachuk posted his second consecutive 40-goal/100-point campaign leading the Cats with career highs in assists (69) and points (109). Tkachuk also paced the club in plus-minus rating (+29), even-strength points (72), power-play points (36), game-winning goals (6-tied) and shots on goal (322). His 1.38 points per game tied for third-best among NHL skaters with at least 75 games played, and he became the first NHL skater to finish a season with at least 100 points and 100 penalty minutes since Sidney Crosby did so in 2005-06. 

 

The 6-foot-2, 201-pound native of Scottsdale, Ariz., set club single-season records for multi-point games (34) and three-point performances (14) in 2022-23, tying the franchise record for four-point games (4). He factored on 37.8% of the Panthers total goals (109 of 288), the third-largest share in one season in club history.  At the 2023 NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, his second career All-Star Game appearance, Tkachuk led all skaters with seven points (4-3-7) including a hat trick against the Metropolitan Division. Following his performance, he became the second skater in club history to be named All-Star Game MVP after Pavel Bure (2000). 

 Tkachuk is the third member of the Florida Panthers to be named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy after John Vanbiesbrouck (1993-94) and Pavel Bure (1999-00). 

 

Popular posts from this blog

Golf: Remembering Kathy Whitworth, the Game’s Greatest Winner

-
Image
  The golf world and the world in general lost one of its most incredible women with the passing of Kathy Whitworth yesterday. Kathy was a champion in the truest sense of the word, both on the golf course and off. In the short time I spent with Kathy, I was truly blown away by her and her approach to the game and to life. Her strength, insightfulness and vibrancy were obvious from the minute you met her! She inspired me as a young girl and now as the commissioner and I know she did the same for so many others. We all mourn with Bettye, her family and the entire golf world.” – LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan (From the LPGA) By Ron Sirak The dining room at Trophy Club Country Club near Flower Mound, Texas, gazes upon the rolling hills and old oak trees through which two courses meander, one named for the club’s most famous member, Kathy Whitworth, the other the lone design by the icon of Texas golf, Ben Hogan. Inside the dining room the wall opposite the windows appears at first
Read more

Orlando City SC to Face Cavalry FC in Round One of 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup

-
ORLANDO – Orlando City SC is set to take on Canadian-side Cavalry FC in Round One of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Specific match details, including ticket information, will be announced at a later date.   Orlando City was drawn into position A8 from Pot 1, being placed into Pot 1 by virtue of the Club’s standing in the Concacaf Club Rankings, with Cavalry FC being drawn into position B8 from Pot 2.   The 59th edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the region's premier men's club competition, will be played between February and June 2024. The annual tournament, comprised of five direct elimination rounds and the best clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, crowns the Confederation's club champion and is the sole qualification route for the region's clubs to the new and expanded FIFA Club World Cup. The competition's first four rounds (Round One, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, and Semifinals), all include home and away play, while the Final is p
Read more

ReliaQuest Bowl Goes to LSU Tigers over Wisconsin Badgers, 35-31

-
Image
(Photo by Nancy Beecher/Florida Sports Wire)   TAMPA (Florida Sports Wire) - Garrett Nussmeier showed why LSU is confident he's capable of thriving as Jayden Daniels' successor. The 13th-ranked Tigers (10-3) launched the team's post-Daniels era with a 35-31, come-from-behind victory over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday, with a calm Nussmeier leading a 98-yard drive to produce the winning touchdown in the closing minutes. "You do what you have to do to win the football game. It doesn't matter if you start from the 1, the 2 ... you just stick to the process play-by-play, move the chains, move the chains and put the ball in the end zone," the third-year sophomore said. "That doesn't just speak to me, it speaks to our entire group," Nussmeier added. "You can't do it by yourself. And to go 98 yards with the game on the line, that means a lot to me. To be the leader of the offense, that matters more." Stepping in to make his f
Read more