Comedian Matt Friend to host 2024 NHL Awards

The NHL announced Tuesday that comedian Matt Friend will host the 2024 NHL Awards June 27 in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Chicago-based comedian has grown in popularity in recent years, appearing on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, performing at the White House Correspondents Dinner, The Howard Stern Show and more.

“Growing up, all my heroes were hockey-obsessed comedians. I am so thrilled to join the list of my heroes like Will Arnett and Kenan Thompson as host of the NHL Awards, especially as someone who grew up a Chicago Blackhawks fan during the dynasty,” Friend said in a statement.

“I am so grateful to Steve Mayer, Michael Dempsey, and Gary Bettman for the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream of hosting the Golden Globes … of Hockey! Hopefully I’ll win them over when I debut my Gary Bettman impression!”

Several of Friend’s impressions have gone viral, including former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, SiriusXM radio host Howard Stern, comedian Bill Maher and Emmy Award-winning actor Paul Giamatti.

NHL Chief Content Officer and Senior Executive Vice President Steve Mayer says the league is excited to celebrate the best players in the game at this year’s award show.

“Vegas has a unique energy and we’re thrilled to have Matt Friend join us as host this year,” he said. “Matt is a versatile comedic talent unlike any other and we know the show will be in great hands.”

The 2023-24 regular season was a fantastic race for the Hart Trophy, with the three finalists being Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and Edmonton Oilers’ forward Connor McDavid.