History of Conn Smythe Trophy in Timeline

The Conn Smythe Trophy is an annual NHL award presented to the most valuable player (MVP) during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Named after Conn Smythe, it has been awarded since 1965. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the winner at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. The NHL Commissioner presents the trophy before the Stanley Cup presentation. Only the winner is announced at the presentation, unlike most NHL awards. Vote tallies have been released since 2017.

1931: Maple Leafs move to Maple Leaf Gardens

In 1931, the Toronto Maple Leafs began playing at Maple Leaf Gardens under Conn Smythe's ownership. This arena is featured in the Conn Smythe Trophy.

1964: Introduction of Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1964, the Conn Smythe Trophy was introduced by Maple Leaf Gardens Limited to honor Conn Smythe.

1965: Jean Beliveau Wins First Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1965, Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens became the first player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

1967: Dave Keon Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1967, Dave Keon of the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Conn Smythe Trophy. Keon is the only Maple Leafs player to win the trophy donated by his club's parent company. His eight playoff points were the fewest ever by a non-goalie Conn Smythe winner.

1970: Bobby Orr's First Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1970, Bobby Orr won his first Conn Smythe Trophy and also scored the Cup-clinching goal for the Boston Bruins.

1970: Orr Wins Conn Smythe, Hart, and Art Ross Trophies

In 1970, Bobby Orr won the Conn Smythe Trophy, the Hart Memorial Trophy, and the Art Ross Trophy in the same year, also won the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

1971: Ken Dryden Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1971, Ken Dryden won the Conn Smythe Trophy before winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1972.

1972: Orr Wins Conn Smythe and Hart Trophies

In 1972, Bobby Orr won both the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy in the same year.

1972: Bobby Orr Wins Second Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1972, Bobby Orr won his second Conn Smythe Trophy and again scored the Cup-clinching goal for the Boston Bruins, becoming the first player and only defenseman to win it twice.

1974: Bernie Parent Wins First Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1974, Bernie Parent of the Philadelphia Flyers won his first Conn Smythe Trophy.

1975: Bernie Parent Wins Second Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1975, Bernie Parent of the Philadelphia Flyers won his second Conn Smythe Trophy back-to-back.

1976: Reggie Leach Wins Conn Smythe on Losing Team

In 1976, Reggie Leach of the Philadelphia Flyers won the Conn Smythe Trophy despite his team losing the Stanley Cup Finals, setting a league record for most goals in the playoffs (19).

1977: Guy Lafleur Wins Conn Smythe and Hart Trophies

In 1977, Guy Lafleur won both the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy in the same year.

1979: Bob Gainey Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1979, Bob Gainey of the Montreal Canadiens became the only left winger to win the Conn Smythe Trophy at that time.

1980: Original Base Tier of Trophy Filled

By 1980, all 16 nameplates on the original base tier of the Conn Smythe Trophy had been filled with winners' names.

1983: Addition of a New Tier to Trophy Base

In the 1983-84 season, a new tier was added to the base of the Conn Smythe Trophy to accommodate more winners.

1985: Wayne Gretzky Wins Conn Smythe and Hart Trophies

In 1985, Wayne Gretzky won both the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy in the same year.

1986: Patrick Roy Wins First Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1986, Patrick Roy won his first Conn Smythe Trophy as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

1991: Mario Lemieux Wins First Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1991, Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins won his first Conn Smythe Trophy.

1992: Mario Lemieux Wins Second Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1992, Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins won his second Conn Smythe Trophy back-to-back.

1993: Patrick Roy Wins Second Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1993, Patrick Roy won his second Conn Smythe Trophy as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

1994: Brian Leetch Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 1994, Brian Leetch became the first American to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

1999: End of Maple Leafs' tenure at Maple Leaf Gardens

In 1999, the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded their time at Maple Leaf Gardens, their home since 1931.

2000: Second Tier of Trophy Filled

Following the 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs, the 20 nameplates on the Conn Smythe Trophy's second tier were filled, necessitating a rearrangement to accommodate new winners.

2001: Patrick Roy Wins Third Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2001, Patrick Roy won his third Conn Smythe Trophy as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.

2002: Nicklas Lidstrom Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2002, Nicklas Lidstrom, a Swede, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere wins Conn Smythe Trophy on losing team

In 2003, Jean-Sebastien Giguere was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, despite his team losing in the Stanley Cup Finals, marking the first time since 2003 a player on the losing team received the honor.

2004: NHL Season Cancelled

Due to the cancellation of the 2004-05 season, the Conn Smythe Trophy was not filled again until 2010.

2008: Henrik Zetterberg Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2008, Henrik Zetterberg, a Swede, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2009: Evgeni Malkin Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2009, Evgeni Malkin, a Russian, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2010: Addition of New Tier after Filled Nameplates

In 2010, after the 2004-2005 season cancellation, a new tier was added to the Conn Smythe Trophy to make room for 24 more names after the previous tier was filled.

2011: Tim Thomas Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2011, Tim Thomas, an American, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2012: Jonathan Quick Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2012, Jonathan Quick, an American, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2013: Patrick Kane Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2013, Patrick Kane, an American, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2016: Sidney Crosby Wins First Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2016, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins won his first Conn Smythe Trophy.

2017: Sidney Crosby Wins Second Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2017, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins won his second Conn Smythe Trophy back-to-back.

2017: Release of Conn Smythe Trophy Vote Tallies

In 2017, the NHL began releasing the vote tallies for the Conn Smythe Trophy, offering more transparency in the selection process.

2018: Alexander Ovechkin Wins Conn Smythe Trophy as Left Winger

In 2018, Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won the Conn Smythe Trophy as a left winger.

2018: Alexander Ovechkin Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2018, Alexander Ovechkin, a Russian, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2020: Victor Hedman Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2020, Victor Hedman, a Swede, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2021: Andrei Vasilevskiy Wins Conn Smythe Trophy

In 2021, Andrei Vasilevskiy, a Russian, won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

2024: Conn Smythe Trophy Awarded to Centers, Goaltenders, Defencemen, and Right Wingers

As of 2024, the Conn Smythe Trophy had been awarded to centers 20 times, to goaltenders 17 times, to defencemen 12 times, and to right wingers eight times.

2024: Connor McDavid Wins Conn Smythe on Losing Team

In 2024, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers won the Conn Smythe Trophy despite his team losing in the Stanley Cup Finals, setting an all-time playoff record for assists and leading the playoffs in scoring by ten points.