Thompson recently completed his record 19th season on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" as the show's longest-running cast member. The actor, producer and comedian made his television debut as a member of Nickelodeon's all-kid sketch comedy series, "All That," before starring in the show's wildly popular spinoff, "Kenan and Kel." Thompson is familiar to hockey fans for his roles in "D2: The Mighty Ducks" and "D3: The Mighty Ducks." Most recently he executive produced and starred in the NBC comedy series "Kenan." The actor hosted the 2019 NHL Awards, the last live edition of the event.
"Whether it's the regular season or the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL certainly knows how to put on a show and I'm honored to be a part of it again," said Thompson. "The playoffs have been so exciting I can't wait to cap off this great season as the host of the 2022 NHL Awards."
"After a two-year hiatus, we are excited to welcome the NHL Awards show back with Kenan as host," said NHL Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President Steve Mayer. "Kenan did a tremendous job in 2019 and is the perfect host to lead a fun and festive celebration of the season's best."
The 2022 NHL Awards™ will reveal the winners of six awards - most valuable player (Hart Trophy), outstanding goaltender (Vezina Trophy), outstanding defenseman (Norris Trophy), outstanding rookie (Calder Trophy), the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the "most outstanding player" in the NHL as voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), and the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence presented annually by the League to a candidate who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.
Noel Acton, the winner of the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award presented by MassMutual, will be recognized in the live show. The finalists for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award will be announced in the broadcast.
The NHL has revealed the winners of seven 2022 NHL Awards, including:
● Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award - Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
● Jack Adams Award - Daryl Sutter, Calgary Flames
● Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy - Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
● Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award presented by MassMutual - Noel Acton of Baltimore, Md.
● Frank J. Selke Trophy - Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
● Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
● King Clancy Memorial Trophy - P.K. Subban, New Jersey Devils
NHL Network™, NHL.com and NHL Social™ will provide comprehensive coverage of the 2022 NHL Awards™. Fans can follow the festivities across the NHL's social media channels via the official hashtag #NHLAwards.
