Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby on Thursday was awarded, left to right, the Hart Trophy which goes to the NHL's Most Valuable Player, the Pearson Trophy for top player as selected by the NHLPA and Ross Trophy for top point scorer.

Toronto ? Sidney Crosby skated away with the Hart Trophy on Thursday night, becoming the NHL’s youngest MVP since Wayne Gretzky.

The vote wasn’t even close. The 19-year-old Pittsburgh captain – who received his trophy from six-time winner Gordie Howe – received 91 first-place votes and 1,225 points in a poll of Professional Hockey Writers’ Association members.

Gretzky won his first Hart with Edmonton in 1980, and followed it with seven more in a row. When Gretzky won for the first time, he was five months younger than Crosby, who turns 20 in August.

Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo was second with 25 first-place votes and 801 points. New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur was third with 21 first-place votes and 763 points, though he netted the Vezina Trophy for top goalie.