5 memorable moments from the NHL’s centennial anniversary

The NHL celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2017 with a year-long bash, which produced several memorable moments.

Here are the top five from the past year:

5. McDavid’s rise — Edmonton center Connor McDavid took home the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player and emerged as the sport’s next superstar.

The 20-year-old was the only player to post 100 points during the 2016-17 season and helped the Oilers reach the Western Conference semifinals after failing to qualify for the postseason the previous 10 seasons.

The Oilers are struggling this season, but McDavid continues to produce highlight-reel plays on a consistent basis.

4. Smashville — The Nashville Predators were the last team to qualify for the postseason and made a magical run to the Stanley Cup finals before falling in six games to Pittsburgh (more on that later).

Hockey fans throughout North America witnessed the city’s transformation from country music capital to hockey town, as catfish rained down on the ice at raucous Bridgestone Arena.

And Broadway turned into a massive party, complete with an Alan Jackson concert and “smash car” that allowed fans to swing a sledge hammer at a car painted in the opposing team’s colors.

3. NHL snubs Olympics — After years of battling with the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation, the NHL announced in April it will not send players to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Owners have long been against Olympic participation, due in large part to the two-week break in the NHL schedule during February.

The decision means the tournament in February will feature players from the American Hockey League and leagues throughout Europe rather than stars such as McDavid or American Auston Matthews.

2. Penguins repeat — Pittsburgh’s 50th season was one to remember for yinzers, as the Penguins became the first team since Detroit in 1998 to win two straight Stanley Cups.

Sidney Crosby cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats with his second consecutive Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.

And goaltender Matt Murray, who supplanted Marc-Andre Fleury as the starter, set a rookie record with two shutouts in the finals.

1. “Vegas Strong” — The Golden Knights captivated the hockey world with a record start to their inaugural season. But for all their accomplishments, nothing tops the heartfelt, one-minute speech delivered by defenseman — and longtime Las Vegas resident — Deryk Engelland prior to the team’s home opener on Oct. 10.

Engelland’s message united a community reeling from the Oct. 1 mass shooting on the Strip and created an everlasting bond between the league’s newest team and its fanbase.

The Knights should use Engelland’s speech as their locker room slogan for as long as they are in existence.

Bower remembered

Tributes poured in last week after former Maple Leafs goaltending legend Johnny Bower died of pneumonia at age 93.

Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle was a rookie with Toronto in 1976 when Bower was an assistant coach and recalled the then 52-year-old putting on the goalie pads in practice.

“The thing we used to do with him is we’d shoot from out far because his eyesight was getting poor at that time and he couldn’t pick up the puck,” Carlyle said last week. “But anything around the net, he could pick up and he could poke check. … He was a big kid.”

Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.