Forsberg lone Av at NHL Awards
May 2, 2003 - By David Smith

New York, NY (AZ) -- For the first time in his spectacular NHL career, Avalanche center/left wing Peter Forsberg is a finalist for the league's most valuable player award. The Swedish superstar was named as one of the three finalists for the Hart trophy, and has to be considered the favorite when the 2003 NHL Awards takes place at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, Ontario on June 12th.
 
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association voted for the Hart Trophy shortly after the regular season was completed.
 
Forsberg; a restricted free agent this summer, led the NHL in scoring this season, registering an eye-popping 106 points; 29 goals, and 77 assists, and his astronomical +52 was tied with teammate Milan Hejduk for tops in the league. "Foppa" is considered by many to be the best player in the league, and seems to have a slight edge over countryman Markus Naslund for the Hart. Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was also nominated. If Forsberg (or Naslund) wins, it will mark the first time a Swedish player has taken home the league's top trophy.
 
With Forsberg's nomination, it marks the third consecutive season that an Avalanche player has been a finalist. Last season, goaltender Patrick Roy was nominated, and two seasons ago Joe Sakic won in a landslide.
 
Additionally, Forsberg was also named as a finalist for the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the player who is judged to be the best among his peers.

2003 NHL Award Finalists

Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)
• Martin Brodeur, Devils
• Peter Forsberg, Avalanche
• Markus Naslund, Canucks