TORONTO -- Joe Sakic, captain of the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, is the winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the MVP of the regular season based on voting by NHL players.

	Sakic

Sakic beat out Pittsburgh Penguins stars Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr for the award presented each year by the NHL Players' Association.

"This is the biggest honor any player could have," Sakic said Thursday. "To be voted by all the players, to get the respect from them is something I'll never forget."

Sakic also was a finalist for the Hart (Most Valuable Player) and Lady Byng (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct) trophies and the Selke Award (top defensive forward), to be awarded Thursday night. He is the first player in 10 years to be a finalist for all three awards.

Jagr amassed 121 points, including 52 goals, to win the scoring title for the fourth year in a row. Sakic was second with 118 points, including 54 goals. Lemieux, who came out of retirement in late December, had 76 points, including 35 goals in only 43 games.

Sakic also led all playoff scorers with 13 goals and 13 assists.