Carter Hart Wins 3 Flyers Awards; Provorov Top D man

Goalie Carter Hart was named the Philadelphia Flyers’ MVP as the team’s award winners were announced before Tuesday’s game against visiting Columbus.

All told, Hart won three awards.

He became just the fourth different goaltender to win the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the team’s MVP, joining Pelle Lindbergh (1984-85), Ron Hextall (three-time winner), and Roman Cechmanek (2002-03).

The award started after the 1984-85 season.

Here are the list of winners:

Bobby Clarke Trophy (team MVP): Hart, 24, won the award as he beat out a cast that included right winger Travis Konecny (29 goals).

Entering Tuesday’s game against Columbus, Hart had a 21-23-10 record, a 2.94 GAA, and .907 save percentage. He kept the lowly Flyers in most games.

Hart got my vote.

Barry Ashbee Trophy (best defenseman): Provorov won for the fourth time. He has 24 points, a minus-18 rating, and 156 blocked shots.  (For the record, I voted for Nick Seeler, who has 14 points, leads the team in blocked shots, and has the best rating among defensemen (plus-1).

Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy (most improved): Right winger Owen Tippett was selected by his teammates as the Philadelphia Flyers’ most improved player. On merit.

He leads the Flyers in power-play goals (seven) and shots (224), and is second in goals (24). This is Tippett’s first full season with the Flyers since being acquired in the Claude Giroux trade with Florida.

Yanick Dupre Class Guy Memorial Award: Defenseman Justin Braun won it, edging Seeler and Kevin Hayes. A consummate pro, Braun won the award that went to Cam Atkinson last year. The Philadelphia chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association made the selection.

The award is presented to the player who best illustrates character, dignity and respect for the sport, on and off the ice.

Gene Hart Memorial award (player who shows the most heart): This award, selected by the Flyers’ fan club, went to Hart.

Toyota Cup (player who has the most star-of-the-game points): Hart won the award, collecting 56 points. Toyota will make a donation to Hart’s favorite charity.