LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Jonathan Marchessault has been named the winner of the 2023 Conn Smythe trophy, which goes to the Most Valuable Player.
Marchessault tied the NHL lead this postseason in goals with 13 and ranked second in points with 24. He scored all 13 goals over a 13-game span from the second round through the Stanley Cup Final.
“When you win it all, that’s one of those things that your name will always be a winner,” Marchessault said. “And it doesn’t matter if you win one or six or seven. If you win one time, you win it.”
Marchessault is the first undrafted player since Wayne Gretzky in 1988 to win the Conn Smythe Trophy and he said his NHL journey hasn't always been easy.
“It was an extremely bumpy ride to get to the NHL,” Marchessault said. “But after wanting to get there, it’s another thing to stay there. Every year there’s guys that want your spot. Right? It just keeps you humble, I think. I think like a lot of situations kept me humble in my career.”
During the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, Marchessault scored 10 goals that either gave Vegas a lead or tied the game. He's also one of three players in the last 35 years to score a goal in the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final.
It's an honor that his teammates said is well-deserved.
“He went on a heck of a run,” Vegas leading scorer Jack Eichel said. “So deserving of the Conn Smythe. I’m so happy for him. He’s been here since the beginning.”
Marchessault was selected by the Golden Knights, from the Florida Panthers, in the 2017-18 NHL Expansion Draft. He is the franchise leader in career playoff goals (34) and points (71) and one of three players to skate in every postseason game in Vegas history, along with Reilly Smith and William Karlsson.