Additionally, the NHL & Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced a multi-year partnership extension, making this the 10th year of a successful partnership between Las Vegas and the League and the ninth time the NHL will honor the best hockey players in the world and the top performances of the season in Las Vegas. Las Vegas venues that have hosted the NHL Awards include Palms Hotel (2009-2011), Encore at Wynn Las Vegas (2012, 2014), MGM Grand (2015), The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (2016) and T-Mobile Arena (2017).

“Las Vegas has been a tremendous host to the NHL Awards and we are thrilled to be coming back to the city for a ninth time this summer and, for a second time, to the Hard Rock,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Our players, coaches and fans look forward to coming to Las Vegas each June to honor the Award nominees and winners. This year, for the first time, those honored could include members of the home team, the Vegas Golden Knights. I thank our friends at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for being terrific partners and for making us feel welcome each and every time we’ve visited.”

“In just one thrilling year, Las Vegas has become a hockey town thanks to the remarkable inaugural season of our beloved Vegas Golden Knights. We are thrilled to celebrate this in conjunction with our ten year partnership with the NHL in welcoming the 2018 NHL Awards,” said Cathy Tull, Chief Marketing Officer for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The 2018 NHL Awards™ presented by Hulu will again honor the best regular-season players in a wide range of categories, including most valuable player (Hart Trophy), outstanding goaltender (Vezina Trophy), outstanding defenseman (Norris Trophy) and outstanding rookie (Calder Trophy); the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the “most outstanding player” in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), also will be awarded.

A full line up of presenters and entertainment will be announced at a future date. In addition, fans can tweet about the event using the official hashtag #NHLAwards.

Finalists for each award will be announced daily, beginning Tuesday, April 17. Following is the schedule of the finalist announcements. Please note that all announcement dates are subject to change.

Tuesday, April 17
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)

Wednesday, April 18
Selke Trophy (forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game)

Thursday, April 19
Norris Trophy (top defenseman)

Friday, April 20
Lady Byng Trophy (player best combining sportsmanship and ability)

Saturday, April 21
Masterton Trophy (perseverance and dedication to hockey)

Sunday, April 22
Calder Trophy (top rookie)

Monday, April 23
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian Award)

Tuesday, April 24
Mark Messier Leadership Award

Wednesday, April 25
Jack Adams Award (top head coach)

Thursday, April 26
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by the players)

Friday, April 27
Hart Trophy (most valuable player to his team)

The 2017-18 National Hockey League regular season concluded with Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid capturing his second career and second consecutive Art Ross Trophy as the League’s scoring champion, Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin claiming his seventh career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings winning his second career William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltender who plays at least 25 games for the club allowing the fewest goals.

On Tuesday, June 19, a day before the NHL recognizes its regular season award winners at the 2018 NHL Awards™, the League’s first-ever esports World Champion will be crowned when the 2018 NHL Gaming World Championship™ World Finals are played at the new Esports Arena Las Vegas at Luxor Hotel and Casino. The Champion will walk away with their share of the $100K cash prize pool, tickets to the 2018 NHL Awards™, the Championship Trophy and ‘Chel bragging rights.

Registered players residing in Canada, the European Union and United States began Online Qualifier play in the NHL’s first-ever international esports tournament on March 24. Eight total players per Region will meet in their respective Regional Final markets -- Viasat studios in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday, May 6; Sportsnet studios in Toronto, Ont., on Friday, May 11 and NBC Studios in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, May 20. The two top players per Region will qualify for the 2018 NHL Gaming World Championship™ Finals on June 19.

Fans can follow the conversation using social hashtag #NHLGWC. Schedules and results will be posted in near real-time to the NHL’s page on FACEIT, https://fce.gg/NHL. To learn more, visit NHL.com/Gaming.