The NHL has opened up its annual Fan Choice Awards, giving hockey faithful the chance once again to chime in on the best players, moments, and personalities of the 2019-20 season (so far).
There are 20 categories this year, ranging from on-ice feats like goal-, save-, and play-of-the-year and online content (best GIF, team video, TikTok) to the really important stuff like “best dog” and “best team dog.”
Voting also gives fans a fun way to reflect on some of the best moments over the course of the year, and a welcomed distraction while we await the (hopeful) return of sports.
Three of the four candidates for top goal of the year are no surprise — and this has got to be the first time a goalie’s been nominated for the award:
Goal of the year from Andrei Svechnikov (@ASvechnikov_37)? pic.twitter.com/JCm8IRy5NN
— NHL (@NHL) October 30, 2019
Matthew Tkachuk (@TKACHUKycheese_) put his goal of the year candidate in real early. pic.twitter.com/4Z0a7QJAW5
— NHL (@NHL) November 1, 2019
For the first time since 2013… WE HAVE A GOALIE GOAL.
Bless you, Pekka Rinne. pic.twitter.com/teY98yCmB9
— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2020
In the “Top Team Video” category, we’ve got a pair of cute NHLer kids, a courage-ous Mite, and one seriously inspiring hockey player.
MUST SEE: Watch Jeff Petry's son, hockey insider Boyd Petry, mic'd up during a game at the Bell Centre.
https://t.co/EvxmCJjQVG#GoHabsGo | @petryules pic.twitter.com/ajB7Wye0fr
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 26, 2020
A year ago, she took the hockey world by storm.
Watch the full story of Chicago’s own @KendallCoyne, an Olympic gold medalist and a role model for the next generation of female hockey players in
WATCH NOW: https://t.co/BBCjIi6gQ2 pic.twitter.com/iOCmugMn8L
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 22, 2020
In addition to the best team dog (an impossible choice), fans can also vote for “best dog” belonging to a player, which should most definitely be a four-way tie between Butter P. Crouse (Lawson Crouse), Tornade (Samuel Girard), Aspen (Tyler Bertuzzi), and Lenard (Connor McDavid).
I'm 1 today! Look I'm almost all grown pup pic.twitter.com/xVFYWaLHS1
— Finn (@SharksPup) May 10, 2020
Comfy and cozy. Able to hear the fridge if it happens to open.
174 Likes, 4 Comments – Butter P. Crouse (@butterpigcrouse) on Instagram: “Comfy and cozy. Able to hear the fridge if it happens to open.”
Fans have until June 1 to cast their votes online.
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