Most people come to Las Vegas to get married, however, Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell is used to doing things backwards, like skating.

Instead, Campbell came to Vegas to pick up the Lady Byng Trophy Wednesday night at the 2012 NHL Awards show in the Wynn hotel, and next week will marry his fiance in Chicago.

Campbell is the first Panther to win a prestigious NHL award that is voted on, in this case by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Pavel Bure was a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner for leading the league in goals in 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons for the Panthers.

Campbell is the third defenseman to capture the award, but first since Detroit's Red Kelly in 1954. The award is given to the player who exhibits sportsmanship and skill.

The Panthers batted .500 for the evening as General Manager Dale Tallon was surprisingly edged for GM of the Year by St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong, who was joined by Blues coach Ken Hitchcock (Jack Adams award) at the winner's table. The GM award is voted on by all 30 GMs, five NHL executives and five media members.

"Obviously, it's an honor to be the first defenseman since 1954 to win this award," Campbell said in his acceptance speech. "I take a lot of pride in that. I'd like to thank the Panthers, [owner] Cliff Viner, our coaching staff headed by Kevin Dineen, our GM Dale Tallon, who has a lot of confidence, not only in myself, but our team.

"My parents back home, my two brothers, my fiance who's with me tonight. 'Lauren, I look forward to getting married next week, so it's busy times ahead.' "

Campbell beat out Edmonton's Jordan Eberle and Matt Moulson of the New York Islanders for the award. He led the league in total ice time and had just six penalty minutes, including two for delay of game.

Campbell, who could've been a finalist in the more prestigious Norris Trophy category given to the best all-around defenseman, was second among blue-liners with 49 assists and tied for second with 53 points. Ottawa's Erik Karlsson, who notched 78 points, won the Norris.

"I'm glad we broke the trend," Campbell said of the defensemen drought in his category. "Defensemen are supposed to be bruisers, but I've never been a bruiser my whole career.

"Skating's one of my strong points and I've gotten better in my positioning, so I find I don't have to take those penalties. I hate the penalty box. I'd rather be out there helping my teammates."

It was Tallon who convinced Campbell to waive his no-trade clause in his contract with the Blackhawks to come to South Florida last summer that set off a chain reaction for 10 players to follow. Tallon's foresight to hire Dineen also played a huge part in the Panthers' first division title and first playoff berth in 12 years.

Still, it wasn't enough to sway the voters as Armstrong's moves, including hiring Hitchcock 13 games into the season and signing goalie Brian Elliott contributed to the Blues' first Central Division title since 1999-2000.

Tallon is more focused on this weekend's draft than awards.

"I like to build through the draft," Tallon said during a red-carpet interview before the show. "We've got a strong core now. We worked hard to get character people with a lot of passion. We could add the young players to this roster who had a bit of success and I think that will allow our young players to develop properly."

In other major categories, Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, who scored 109 points, took the Art Ross Trophy (for most points), the Hart (MVP) and Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player. Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist won the Vezina for best regular-season goalie.

The Rookie of the Year or Calder Trophy went to Avalance's Gabriel Landeskog (52 points), while Bruins' Patrice Bergeron won the Selke Award for best defensive forward.

No Panther made the all-rookie team as well as the first or second postseason All-Star teams with Campbell finishing seventh among defensemen.