Ducks’ Corey Perry named a finalist for NHL most valuable player award

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

After the kind of season Corey Perry had, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that he’s in the running for the NHL’s most valuable player award.

Perry was named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy on Thursday after a stellar season that saw him finish the season as the NHL’s leading goal scorer. The Peterborough, Ontario native has already won the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard’ trophy for the league’s top goal scorer, and he is the first Duck to be nominated for the award since Teemu Selanne in 1998.

‘His heart, work ethic and clutch performances all season make him a tremendous candidate for this award,’ said Ducks General Manager Bob Murray in a statement.

Perry led the Ducks back into the playoffs this month after posting career highs in goals (50) and points (98). He finished third in league scoring and was tied for fifth in power-play goals (14). Perry also tied with Washington’s Alex Ovechkin for the most game-winning goals (11).

He is the third Ducks player to be nominated for the award and could become the first Southern California-based player to win it since Wayne Gretzky (1988-89).

Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin and Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis (2004 winner) were the other nominees selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Assn. The NHL Awards will take place at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas on June 22.

We’ll have more on Perry’s MVP nomination soon at latimes.com/sports.

ALSO:

Sharks say they were snubbed by Terry Murray

Ducks chatter before Game 5 vs. Nashville

-- Austin Knoblauch