NHL Awards is Carey Price's night as Canadiens goalie takes four trophies

LAS VEGAS -- The Montreal Canadiens may not have won the Stanley Cup this season, but their goaltender emerged as the night's big winner at the 2015 NHL Awards.

Carey Price, 27, took home four trophies Wednesday, including the league's top prize, the Hart Trophy, as most valuable player to his team.

He was also awarded the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender and the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the most outstanding player as voted on by members of the NHL Players' Association. In addition, he and Chicago Blackhawks' netminder Corey Crawford, who wasn't present, received the William Jennings Trophy, which they earned for playing in more than 25 games and allowing the fewest number of goals in the league (tied at 189).

Still appearing shell shocked after the awards ended, Price looked at the four trophies surrounding him and could barely find the words to express the feat.

"I'm just grateful to be here," he said. "I'm immeasurably blessed to do what I do. It hasn't really sunk in yet."

Price led the Habs to a franchise record 44-win season in 66 appearances, a total which also led the league last season. He recorded a 1.96 goals-against-average and .933 save percentage and became the first goaltender to lead the NHL in all three categories in the same season since Ed Belfour did it with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1990-91 season.

Oh, and the last (and only other) Canadien to ever earn four awards after one season? Guy Lafleur, in 1977. But despite all the hardware, which came from the media, the NHLPA and the NHL's general managers, there was one trophy in particular that meant most to the man of the hour.

"I have to thank everybody; I'm very humbled by it," he said. "It's something I'll never forget, that's for sure. Especially (the Ted Lindsay Trophy) from the players. No offense to everyone else, but I'm very humbled by that. I play against these guys, we go to war out there and for them to vote for me is very special."

This was the first year a goaltender was nominated for the Hart Trophy since the New York Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist was tapped in 2012. No goalie had won the award before Price since another Canadiens netminder, Jose Theodore, got the honor in 2002. Dominik Hasek is the only other goalie to ever be named MVP (1997, 1998).

"It's been a crazy ride," said Price. "Everything has just fallen into place for some reason. The team has been playing well, things are just awesome at home, my family is doing great. The goaltender gets recognition but the team played well in front of me. The fans were great all season long. I just have to say 'merci beaucoup.'"

Price's success in the NHL is the product of many factors, the least of which has been an extraordinary work ethic. In one of his three speeches Wednesday, Price, who is First Nations, touched on the people and communities that can often feel marginalized, and encouraged them, and everyone else, to never give up their wildest dreams.

"(The message) is anything is possible," he said. "I came from a place (Anahim Lake, British Columbia) that's no where close to anywhere, but I took advantage of my opportunities, I worked harder than everyone. I wanted it more than everyone else."

Looking back on the season that just passed, Price pointed to Game 6 of the Habs' first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators, a 2-0 Canadiens win, as the moment when he realized just how special the team he was playing on was. But they fell short of their ultimate goal, which means that while Price is more than happy to enjoy this moment, he's got big plans for the future.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," he said. "I'm just truly grateful just to be here. It has been an amazing experience, this whole season has been amazing.

"There's still one more thing I want to go get though."

Other winners at the 2015 NHL Awards:

Frank J. Selke Trophy: Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was named the best defensive forward for the second year in a row and the third time in his career. But after the Bruins failed to make the postseason, it was a small comfort to Bergeron.

"It was a disappointing year," he said. "Any time you don't make the playoffs, it's (a) disappointing year. I have always said the individual awards shouldn't be the way you gauge yourself. It's all about the team. This doesn't put a Band-Aid on the year."

James Norris Trophy: The Ottawa Senators' Erik Karlsson won his second Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman. He joins the Chicago Blackhawks' Duncan Keith as the only active defensemen with multiple wins.

Jack Adams Award: After leading his team to a 20-point gain in the standings over last year, Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley was honored as the top bench boss in the NHL.

GM of the Year: Steve Yzerman, general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, took the honors over the New York Rangers' Glen Sather and the Anaheim Ducks' Bob Murray. Yzerman's Lightning set multiple franchise records on their way to representing the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: For the fifth time in his career, Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin was the NHL's top scorer, netting 53 goals in the regular season. His total was ten more than the next closest scorer, the Lightning's Steven Stamkos.

King Clancy Memorial Trophy: Although he wasn't on hand to accept the award, the Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg won the award for exemplifying leadership on and off the ice. Zetterberg sent in a taped message that aired during the show.

Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award: Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, who lost the Selke Trophy to Bergeron, was recognized for his commitment to his community. Toews was humble in accepting the honor from Messier.

"I was telling Mark, it's hard for me to believe," he said. "It's almost something you feel bashful of...(and) that you don't feel worthy of. It's a pretty special moment to be chosen by this man. Obviously I want to keep doing what I'm doing if it's working out this well."

Calder Trophy: Last year's No. 1 overall draft pick by the Florida Panthers, Aaron Ekblad, was named rookie of the year. While he was new to the Panthers this season, Ekblad said it didn't take long for him to feel good in his new home.

"My first game, I got my first assist; ten games in, I felt comfortable," he said. "It's very easy with the teammates I have. The guys welcomed me with open arms and...I felt like an equal part of the team."

Lady Byng Trophy: Calgary Flames center Jiri Hudler won the award for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. Hudler earned career highs in goals, assists and points last season with the Flames.

Bill Masterton Trophy: The Minnesota Wild had an incredible second half run last season, thanks to winner Devan Dubnyk. The goaltender made his debut with the Wild on January 15 and set a franchise record with 38 straight starts, a 27-9-2 record, 1.78 goals-against-average and .936 save percentage.