The Conn Smythe Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in the National Hockey League (NHL). It is presented annually to the most valuable player (MVP) during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Unlike many other sports awards that focus on regular-season performance, the Conn Smythe recognizes players who excel when it matters most under pressure, in the postseason. Over the years, the list of Conn Smythe winners has reflected some of the greatest talents in hockey history, from legendary goaltenders to dynamic forwards and defensive powerhouses.
History of the Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy was first awarded in 1965 and is named after Conn Smythe, a prominent figure in Canadian hockey history. Smythe was a builder of the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise, serving as owner, coach, and general manager for decades. He was known for his leadership and contributions to the growth of professional hockey in Canada. The trophy, introduced by Maple Leaf Gardens Limited, honors his legacy by recognizing excellence and perseverance during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Since its inception, the award has been given to players who lead their teams through difficult playoff series, often performing at their best in the most critical moments. The trophy serves as a symbol of resilience, consistency, and brilliance under playoff pressure.
Criteria and Selection Process
The winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy is selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). Members of the association vote at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, choosing the player they believe has made the greatest impact throughout the entire playoffs not just in the final series. This makes the award unique because it takes into account the full postseason performance, including the early rounds.
Another distinctive aspect of the Conn Smythe Trophy is that it can be awarded to a player from the losing team in the Stanley Cup Final. This rare occurrence underscores the integrity of the selection process, which truly focuses on individual excellence rather than team results.
Notable Conn Smythe Trophy Winners
Over the decades, many NHL superstars have earned the Conn Smythe Trophy, often cementing their legacies in the process. Some players have even won the award multiple times, proving their ability to dominate on the biggest stage in hockey.
Multiple-Time Winners
- Patrick Roy Three-time winner (1986, 1993, 2001) with the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche, known for his legendary goaltending and clutch performances.
- Mario Lemieux Two-time winner (1991, 1992) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, remembered for his incredible scoring ability and leadership.
- Bernie Parent Two-time winner (1974, 1975) with the Philadelphia Flyers, recognized for his back-to-back Stanley Cup heroics in net.
- Sidney Crosby Two-time winner (2016, 2017) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, leading his team to consecutive championships in the modern era.
- Wayne Gretzky Two-time winner (1985, 1988) for the Edmonton Oilers, the all-time leading scorer in NHL history.
These players represent the highest level of playoff excellence, demonstrating leadership and consistency throughout their championship runs.
List of Conn Smythe Winners by Decade
1960s
- 1965 Jean Béliveau (Montreal Canadiens)
- 1966 Roger Crozier (Detroit Red Wings)
- 1967 Dave Keon (Toronto Maple Leafs)
- 1968 Glenn Hall (St. Louis Blues)
- 1969 Serge Savard (Montreal Canadiens)
1970s
- 1970 Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins)
- 1971 Ken Dryden (Montreal Canadiens)
- 1972 Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins)
- 1973 Yvan Cournoyer (Montreal Canadiens)
- 1974 Bernie Parent (Philadelphia Flyers)
- 1975 Bernie Parent (Philadelphia Flyers)
- 1976 Reggie Leach (Philadelphia Flyers)
- 1977 Guy Lafleur (Montreal Canadiens)
- 1978 Larry Robinson (Montreal Canadiens)
- 1979 Bob Gainey (Montreal Canadiens)
1980s
- 1980 Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders)
- 1981 Butch Goring (New York Islanders)
- 1982 Mike Bossy (New York Islanders)
- 1983 Billy Smith (New York Islanders)
- 1984 Mark Messier (Edmonton Oilers)
- 1985 Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers)
- 1986 Patrick Roy (Montreal Canadiens)
- 1987 Ron Hextall (Philadelphia Flyers)
- 1988 Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers)
- 1989 Al MacInnis (Calgary Flames)
1990s
- 1990 Bill Ranford (Edmonton Oilers)
- 1991 Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins)
- 1992 Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins)
- 1993 Patrick Roy (Montreal Canadiens)
- 1994 Brian Leetch (New York Rangers)
- 1995 Claude Lemieux (New Jersey Devils)
- 1996 Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche)
- 1997 Mike Vernon (Detroit Red Wings)
- 1998 Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings)
- 1999 Joe Nieuwendyk (Dallas Stars)
2000s
- 2000 Scott Stevens (New Jersey Devils)
- 2001 Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche)
- 2002 Nicklas Lidström (Detroit Red Wings)
- 2003 Jean-Sébastien Giguère (Anaheim Ducks)
- 2004 Brad Richards (Tampa Bay Lightning)
- 2006 Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes)
- 2007 Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks)
- 2008 Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings)
- 2009 Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)
2010s
- 2010 Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks)
- 2011 Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins)
- 2012 Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings)
- 2013 Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks)
- 2014 Justin Williams (Los Angeles Kings)
- 2015 Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks)
- 2016 Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
- 2017 Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
- 2018 Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
- 2019 Ryan O’Reilly (St. Louis Blues)
2020s
- 2020 Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning)
- 2021 Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning)
- 2022 Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
- 2023 Jonathan Marchessault (Vegas Golden Knights)
- 2024 Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
Patterns and Interesting Facts
Throughout history, goaltenders have won the Conn Smythe Trophy more often than any other position. Their ability to perform under pressure during playoff series makes them natural candidates for the award. However, defensemen and forwards have also claimed the trophy, proving that leadership and clutch performances can come from any part of the ice.
Another fascinating trend is that players from Canadian teams dominated the early years of the award, while in recent decades, American franchises such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Tampa Bay have taken the spotlight. This shift reflects the broader globalization and competitiveness of the NHL.
Legacy of the Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy remains a symbol of playoff greatness. Winning it often cements a player’s place in hockey history, marking them as someone who thrived in the sport’s most intense moments. The list of Conn Smythe winners reads like a who’s who of NHL legends proof that consistent performance, leadership, and mental toughness define true champions. Whether it’s a goaltender making impossible saves or a captain inspiring his team, the Conn Smythe Trophy continues to celebrate the heart and soul of playoff hockey.