Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland took home the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, given annually to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team on and off the ice during the regular season, and plays a role in his community growing the game of hockey.
Engelland set career highs in points and average time on ice in his age-35 season. Though no player on the Knights wore the "C" in the team's inaugural year, Engelland was the squad's undisputed leader. He went out to receive the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as Western Conference champions, a job done by the team's captain.
A Vegas resident, he was a fixture in the community following the tragic Vegas shootings. He gave a passionate pregame speech prior to the team's home opener, and started a program inviting those affected by the tragedy to games throughout the season, meeting and thanking each guest after the final buzzer.
Engelland is the first non-captain to win the award since 2006-07 - the first season it was given out - when Chris Chelios took home the hardware.
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