Theodore was the winner of three of the League’s most prestigious awards, the Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender), the Hart Trophy (League MVP), and the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award (Best Save Percentage).

Prior to the star-studded awards show, Theodore had been satisfied with being nominated. To go home with an award would be a special moment. But when all was said and done, Theodore needed his equipment bag just to get out of the building with all the silver he won.

"I was happy just to be invited to the awards," Theodore said. "After I won the first one [the Vezina], I said, ‘That's good, at least I won one of them.’ Then, I heard Wayne Gretzky pronounce my name [as the Hart winner], and I couldn't believe it."

Neither could many in attendance. Theodore finished in a tie with Patrick Roy for the Vezina Trophy and with Jarome Iginla for the Hart Trophy. Both races required tie-breaking criteria (most first-place votes) to decide the winner. It marked the only time in NHL history that the voting for postseason awards ended in ties.

"Theodore had an unbelievable season with his team and what a run they had," Iginla said. "I'm very happy for Jose."

Theodore was thankful to receive the special recognition.

"Winning the Hart was special," Theodore said. "Growing up as a kid I watched guys like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux win the Hart Trophy, so it's not something that I thought was going to happen so soon in my career. But it wasn't until a week after I won the trophy that I realized how special it was and I was really emotional about it. It's something that no one can ever take away."

Winning the Vezina also was very special to the 26-year old, as he went up against a player he's watched and admired ever since he was a child.

"It was funny going against Patrick Roy because I remember as a kid cheering for him to win the Vezina Trophy and now here I was against him," Theodore said. "So it was a special feeling because he's probably been the best goalie in the League and there I am winning and beating him for the Vezina Trophy. So I was pretty happy about that. But any award you win in the NHL is special."

Like countless players before him, Theodore also feels privileged to be earning a living playing the sport that he loved as a kid.

"For sure, it was a dream growing up," he explained. "Hockey is our main sport in Canada, so everybody wants to play (professional) hockey, especially for the Montreal Canadiens' fans growing up in Montreal."

The dream started to become reality for Theodore in 1994 when the Canadiens used their second pick in the NHL Entry Draft to take the young goalie.

"Having a chance to be drafted by Montreal was just something that made me say 'wow.' When you're drafted by your own team, you just want to take full advantage of it," Theodore said. "You just want to play for your hometown and not go anywhere else. I'm glad I ended up playing for them and I think the team is starting to play better -- we made the playoffs last year -- so it's fun to see the city backing us again like that.

"We have to make the playoffs and then anything can happen. There's a lot of good teams now (in our conference) -- the Rangers, Washington -- so it's going to be hard, but we just have to keep doing what we do well. And if we all do that, I think we'll be OK."

Especially if Theodore continues to play beautiful music.