Former Moose Jaw Warrior Deryk Engelland's season to remember with the Vegas Golden Knights was made even more special on Wednesday night.

Engelland was presented with the Mark Messier Leadership Award at the 2018 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

The award is presented annually to the NHL player that exemplifies great leadership qualities on and off the ice and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.

Engelland was front and centre in leading the Golden Knights following the mass shooting in Vegas on Oct. 1 of last year, including making a pregame speech at their home opener a week later. 

Engelland and his wife, Melissa, started a program inviting those affected by the shooting to Golden Knights home games throughout the season. They would meet and thank each guest after the games.

The Edmonton product enjoyed a career year during Vegas' improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. Engelland finished with career highs in assists (18) and points (23) as a 36-year-old.

Engelland played four season with the Moose Jaw Warriors from 1998-2003, registering 48 points and 520 penalty minutes.

The Humboldt Broncos were also honoured during the NHL Awards with ten of the surviving members of the team on hand for the night.

Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan won the inaugural Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, which goes to a person that uses hockey to build character and important life skills in others. Haugan was one of the 16 killed during the Apr. 6 bus crash here in Saskatchewan.

New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall was the big winner of the night, taking home his first Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player. He had a career-high 93 points during the 2017-18 season.