Carolina Hurricanes’ defenseman Jaccob Slavin has been honoured with the prestigious Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the 2023-24 season. The award, presented by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, recognises the player who best demonstrates sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and high playing ability.
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, the 30-year-old Slavin is no stranger to the Lady Byng Trophy, having been a finalist three times and now claiming victory for the second time. In 2020-21, he secured first place in the voting and finished in second place in 2021-22. His achievement also places him in the company of New York City native Joe Mullen as the second U.S.-born player to win the trophy multiple times. Additionally, he joins the ranks of Red Kelly as the second defenseman to win the award at least twice, with Kelly having won it three times in his career.
Slavin’s outstanding performance on the ice did not go unnoticed, as he received 149 of 194 ballots as a top-five selection, with the majority of the votes placing him in the top two. He garnered 81 first-place votes and 33 second-place votes, accumulating a total of 1,174 voting points, which more than doubled that of his nearest competitor.
Throughout the season, Slavin logged an impressive 1,695 minutes and 29 seconds of playing time, with a notable plus/minus rating of +21. His contribution to the Carolina defense was instrumental in the team allowing the fourth-fewest goals in the League, totaling just 216. This achievement led to the Hurricanes securing their third consecutive 110-point season and their sixth consecutive playoff berth.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Slavin also displayed his offensive skills, finishing third among Hurricanes defensemen with 37 points, comprising of 6 goals and 31 assists in 81 games played. Notably, he surpassed franchise records, becoming the all-time leader in assists and points by a defenseman for the Hurricanes.
Slavin’s exceptional performance extended beyond just his offensive and defensive capabilities. He also excelled in takeaways, ranking second among NHL blueliners and ninth in the League overall with 71 takeaways. Impressively, he managed to achieve this while being assessed a mere eight penalty minutes, the lowest among the 81 skaters who played at least 1,600 minutes in the 2023-24 season.
Jaccob Slavin’s accomplishment in being awarded the Lady Byng Trophy for the second time is a testament to his outstanding sportsmanship, playing ability, and overall contribution to the Carolina Hurricanes’ success in the 2023-24 season. His dedication and skill on the ice have solidified his status as one of the top NHL defensemen, and he continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the league.