Conn Smythe Trophy

Conn Smythe Trophy winners are team MVPs for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, selected by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association after the playoffs are concluded. The NHL playoff MVP need not be on the winning team — in fact, technically, Conn Smythe winners need not even play for teams that make the finals. The trophy was first awarded in 1965.

Conn Smythe Trophy — History

Constantine Falkland Cary Smythe, born in Toronto in 1895, was a decorated veteran of World War I, businessman, horse breeder, and majority owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1947 until 1961 (he was a part-owner from 1927 to 1947, and from 1961 to 1966). During his time as Leafs owner, the team won Stanley Cups in 1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1962, 1963 and 1964.

Smythe was also responsible for building Maple Leaf Gardens, in 1931, to accommodate the overflow of home fans in the team’s former home, Arena Gardens. The trophy itself is capped with a replica of Maple Leaf Gardens.

Conn Smythe Trophy Winners — Trivia

• There have been five Conn Smythe winners who played for teams that lost in the Stanley Cup Final: Roger Crozier of the Detroit Red Wings, Glenn Hall of the St. Louis Blues, Reggie Leach of the Philadelphia Flyers, Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers and Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. (Reggie Leach, who set the record for most playoff goals, is the only non-goaltender of the bunch.)
• Three-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner: Patrick Roy.
• Two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Bernie Parent and Sidney Crosby.
• Back-to-back Conn Smythe winners: Bernie Parent (1974 and 1975), Mario Lemieux (1991 and 1992) and Sidney Crosby (2016 and 2017).
• Youngest Conn Smythe Trophy winner: Patrick Roy, who was 20 years old when he won in 1986.
• Oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner: Tim Thomas, who was 36 years old when he won in 2011.

Conn Smythe Trophy Winners — Complete List

• 2018: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
• 2017: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2016: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2015: Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2014 Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings
• 2013: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2012: Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
• 2011: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
• 2010: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
• 2009: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2008: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
• 2007: Scott Niedermaye, Anaheim Ducks
• 2006: Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes
• 2004: Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning
• 2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
• 2002: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
• 2001: Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche
• 2000: Scott Stevens, New Jersey Devils
• 1999: Joe Nieuwendyk, Dallas Stars
• 1998: Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings
• 1997: Mike Vernon, Detroit Red Wings
• 1996: Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
• 1995: Claude Lemieux, New Jersey Devils
• 1994: Brian Leetch, New York Rangers
• 1993: Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens
• 1992: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1991: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1990: Bill Ranford, Edmonton Oilers
• 1989: Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames
• 1988: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
• 1987: Ron Hextall, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1986: Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens
• 1985: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
• 1984: Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers
• 1983: Billy Smith, New York Islanders
• 1982: Mike Bossy, New York Islanders
• 1981: Butch Goring, New York Islanders
• 1980: Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders
• 1979: Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadiens
• 1978: Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
• 1977: Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens
• 1976: Reggie Leach, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1975: Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1974: Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers
• 1973: Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal Canadiens
• 1972: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1971: Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens
• 1970: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1969: Serge Savard, Montreal Canadiens
• 1968: Glenn Hall, St. Louis Blues
• 1967: Dave Keon, Toronto Maple Leafs
• 1966: Roger Crozier, Detroit Red Wings
• 1965: Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens