The results are in, and Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor has been crowned the winner of the 2022 Lady Byng trophy, awarded to the player “voted to best combine sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability”.
The award was voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association. It’s not a shocking outcome, either.
Connor took just two minor penalties in 79 games this season, becoming just one of three players to finish the season with fewer than 10 penalty minutes while averaging over 20 minutes in ice time per game. Not to mention, Connor enjoyed the best offensive season of his career, racking up 47 goals and 46 assists for 93 points.
To achieve that while committing a mere two infractions all season long is nearly impossible. But Connor did it. And now he has the hardware to show for it.
Rounding out the top-five in Lady Byng voting for this season is Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin in second place, Minnesota’s Jared Spurgeon in third, Toronto’s Mitch Marner in fourth, and New York’s Mika Zibanejad in fifth.
