The Montreal Canadiens found a special occasion to celebrate two of their biggest stars, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. The players thought they were attending a normal team meeting, but the Canadiens had planned a surprise.

Caufield expected to watch Suzuki receive the Lady Byng Trophy. Instead, Suzuki presented him with the award. In return, Caufield surprised his captain by revealing that he had won the Frank J. Selke Trophy.

The moment meant even more for Cole Caufield. He became the first Canadiens player to win the Lady Byng Trophy since former winger Mats Naslund in 1988.

"It's an individual award that comes with all the team aspects of things," Caufield stated, per NHL.com. "And all your great teammates and coaches and everything that comes along with it."

The award honors the player who demonstrates great sportsmanship, respect, and strong performance.

The 25-year-old scored 51 goals, the most by a Canadiens player in over 30 years. He also recorded 88 points in 81 games while taking only seven minor penalties and 14 penalty minutes all season.

The voting showed how strong Cole Caufield’s case was. He finished well ahead of Anze Kopitar and Jake Sanderson, earning 776 points and 45 first-place votes.

After winning the award, Caufield thanked his teammates and coaches. He said individual awards are only possible because of team success.

"I didn't expect this," Caufield stated, per NHL.com. "This doesn't happen without you guys, everybody in this room."

For the Montreal Canadiens, Caufield’s win was another special achievement in a season that saw them become one of the NHL’s top contenders.

Canadiens stars shared a special moment

While Cole Caufield’s win received a lot of attention, Nick Suzuki’s Selke Trophy victory added to the celebration. The Canadiens captain became the first Montreal player to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy since former center Guy Carbonneau in 1992. 

Suzuki had the best season of his NHL career. He recorded 101 points while also taking on tough defensive assignments against top opponents. His strong play at both ends of the ice helped establish him as one of the NHL’s best two-way forwards.

The close friendship between Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield made the double trophy presentation even more special. Since becoming teammates in 2021, they have become the faces of the Montreal Canadiens’ rebuild and return to success.

Their chemistry helped Montreal finish third in the Atlantic Division and reach the Eastern Conference Final.

Head coach Martin St. Louis said the moment was a well-deserved reward for two players.

Both players quickly gave credit to their teammates instead of focusing on themselves.

For Montreal, it showed the team culture that has helped them become contenders again. How important was Nick Suzuki’s role in making Cole Caufield’s historic Lady Byng Trophy win? Comment your opinion below. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Sijo Paul