Nikita Kucherov threw his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates, coaches and GM for a loop, but in the end, it was the All-Star forward who got the ultimate surprise on Wednesday.

Kucherov was named the winner of the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented by the NHL Players’ Association to the “most outstanding player in the NHL,” as voted on by members of the NHLPA.

It’s the second time Kucherov has won the award, the first time coming in 2018-19. He was also a finalist last season.

This season, he led the NHL with 121 points (37 goals, 84 assists) in 78 games, to also win the Art Ross Trophy as the League leader in points.

And though him winning the award was not a total shock, how he found out was.

The original idea was for his Lightning teammates to surprise him with the trophy when he ca

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