Awards = HOF / Hockey (14)

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is a unique award that does not necessarily reflect on-ice accomplishments.  It was created to honor Bill Masterton of the Minnesota North Stars, who died on January 15, 1968, after sustaining an injury during a game.  The award is given to the player who best exemplifies the quality of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.  Each NHL team nominates one player from their squad for the accolade.

Generally, the player who wins this award often returns from a serious injury or any other ailment that could be career-threatening.  

The results are as follows:

There are currently 42 former Bill Masterton Trophy winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible, with 12 entering, yielding a percentage of 27.3.  

Nothing changes if we go by yearly winners, as there has never been a duplicate winner for the Bill Masterton Memorial Award.  There is no rule stating that you can't be a repeat winner, but the parameters make it difficult to repeat.  

The following are the past players who have won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

1971:  Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers, Center.  26 Goals, 46 Assists, 72 Points, +27, 7.3 Point Shares.  

Ratelle was one of the cleanest players in hockey and was also one of the classiest.  This win was like a lifetime achievement award, even though his career was only at the mid-way mark, though that was not then known.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.  

1972:  Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers, Center.  35 Goals, 46 Assists, 81 Points, +24, 9.4 Point Shares.  

In 1972, Clarke was a rising star and had overcome diabetes to play at a high level.  He would become an elite player shortly after and a three-time Hart Trophy winner and two-time Stanley Cup Champion.  Clarke also became the first Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner who would also win the Hart at one time in his career.  Considering Bobby Clarke was only 22 when he won this, it would not start a trend where young players would win the Masterton.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

1974:  Henri Richard, Montreal Canadiens.  19 Goals, 36 Assists, 55 Points, +7, 4.3 Point Shores.  

Like Rattelle, this win is viewed as a lifetime achievement award for Henri Richard, whose career was nearing the end.  "The Pocket Rocket" would win a whopping 11 Stanley Cups in a career spent entirely with Montreal.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

1976:  Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers, Right Wing.  36 Goals, 50 Assists, 86 Points, -8, 7.6 Point Shores.

Gilbert played his entire career with the Rangers, and this was near the end of it.  The forward scored 1,021 Points, and he overcame a back injury early in his career. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

1979:  Serge Savard, Montreal Canadiens, Defense.  7 Goals, 26 Assists, 33 Points, +47, 8.3 Point Shores.

Serge Savard won his eight Stanley Cups with the Habs and was also a Second Team All-Star this year, the only time he earned this honor.  The Defenseman was the first Bill Masterton Memorial Award winner to be named a post-season NHL All-Star in the same season.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

1983:  Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames, Right Wing.  66 Goals, 32 Assists, 98 Points, -1, 9.8 Points Shares. 

McDonald was one of the most popular players with fans and teammates alike, and this was his most remarkable season in terms of stats.  McDonald would score 66 Goals and 98 Points, both career-highs, and be named a Second Team All-Star, the first time he earned a post-season All-Star accolade.  In his final NHL campaign, he would win the Stanley Cup with the Flames.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

1984:  Brad Park, Detroit Red Wings, Defense.  5 Goals, 53 Assists, 58 Points, -31, 5.4 Point Shares. 

This was Brad Park's first season in Detroit and his penultimate campaign in the NHL.  He was one the more beloved players in the league and was still a strong performer as he had 58 Points this year.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

1993:  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  69 Goals, 91 Assists, 160 Points, +55, 16.8 Point Shares

Choosing Mario Lemieux had to be the easiest decision in this award's history.  Lemieux returned to hockey after contracting Hodgkin's lymphoma, and despite missing 22 Games, he would win the Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and Art Ross Trophy.  No other player who won the Bill Masterton award has a year this good in the same campaign.   

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1994:  Cam Neely, Boston Bruins, Right Wing.  50 Goals, 24 Assists, 74 Points, +12, 9.6 Point Shares. 

Cam Neely had injury upon injury pile up, and he only played 22 Games in 1991-92 and 1992-93 combined.  He came during this year and scored 50 Goals while only playing 49 Games, and he would be named a Second Team All-Star.  He would only be able to play 89 Games more in the NHL, and he had to retire at the age of 30.  Neely went down in history as one of the most popular Bruins players ever, which says a lot when you think of all the legends who wore the "B."   

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

1995:  Pat LaFontaine, Buffalo Sabres, Center.  12 Goals, 15 Assists, 27 Points, +2, 3.2 Point Shares. 

In the year prior, Pat LaFontaine suffered a severe concussion, and the post-concussion syndrome forced him to miss most of that season and this season.  He returned to play 22 Games and scored 27 Points.  LaFontaine would later suffer more concussions and would be forced to retire in 1998.   

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

2003:  Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings, Center.  2 Goals, 6 Assists, 8 Points, +6, 0.8 Point Shares.  

By this point in his career, Steve Yzerman had already won three Stanley Cups, but he suffered a massive knee injury and would have a knee realignment done.  The Red Wings star would come back to play 16 Games this year.  Yzerman would play two more seasons and score 1,755 Points in his Hall of Fame career.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

2006:  Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Right Wing.  40 Goals, 50 Assists, 90 Points, +28, 11.4 Point Shares. 

This was a true comeback year for Teemu Selanne in every sense of the word.  Selanne recovered from knee surgery to have a 90 Point campaign, which was the first time he reached that plateau in seven years.  Selanne would have a 94-point year the season after and take the Ducks to win the Stanley Cup.   

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

The following are the players who have won the Bill Masteron Memorial Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

1968:  Claude Provost, Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing.  14 Goals, 30 Assists, 44 Points, +17, 3.8 Point Shares.

The inaugural winner was Claude Provost, one of the best two-way players of his day, and in 1968, he was nearing the end of his career.  This year, Provost had won his eighth of nine Stanley Cups, and he would play two more seasons in the NHL.  

Eligible Since 1973.  Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1969:  Ted Hampson, Oakland Seals, Center.  26 Goals, 49 Assists, 75 Points, -13, 6.7 Point Shares.

After an injury-riddled 1967-68 season, Oakland Seals' Team Captain, Ted Hampson, responded with the best year of his career with a 75 Point outage.  Hampson combined NHL/WHA career would see him accumulate 556 Points.  He would later win the Paul Deneau Award in the WHA as that league's most gentlemanly player.  

Eligible Since 1979.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

1970:  Pit Martin, Chicago Blackhawks, Center.  30 Goals, 33 Assists, 63 Points, +21, 7.1 Point Shares.    

While Pit Martin was not the best player on the Chicago Blackhawks, he was the heartbeat of the team.  Martin helped Chicago go from worst to first that year, and he would score 63 Points as well post his first (of three) 30 Goal seasons.

Eligible Since 1982.  Ranked #148 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1973:  Lowell McDonald, Pittsburgh Penguins, Left Wing.  34 Goals, 41 Assists, 75 Points, +36, 8.0 Point Shares. 

Lowell McDonald only played 10 Games in the year before due to severe cartilage damage to his knees.  The 1972-73 Season campaign saw the Penguin score 75 Points, which was then a record for him.  He would score 390 Points over 506 NHL Games.  

Eligible Since 1981.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1975:  Don Luce, Buffalo Sabres, Center.  33 Goals, 43 Assists, 76 Points, +61, 7.9 Point Shares. 

This was the best season that Don Luce ever had as his 33 Goals, and 76 Points were a career-high.  Luce scored 526 Points over his career and would finish in the top ten in Frank J. Selke Award three times.  This was the only award that Luce would win.  

Eligible Since 1985.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1977:  Ed Westfall, New York Islanders, Right Wing.  14 Goals, 33 Assists, 47 Points, +21, 3.3 Point Shares.

Westfall would win this award for being one of the game's great on-ice leaders, which occurred late in his career.  Westfall won two Stanley Cups earlier with the Boston Bruins and scored 625 Points in total.

Eligible Since 1982.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1978:  Butch Goring, Los Angeles Kings, Center.  37 Goals, 36 Assists, 73 Points, -4, 7.0 Point Shares. 

Goring would win this based on carving out a successful NHL career despite being slight in stature.  Goring would win the Lady Byng Trophy, making him the first Masterton winner to secure a second award in the same year.  He would later join the New York Islanders and win four Stanley Cups.  

Eligible Since 1988.  Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1980:  Al MacAdam, Minnesota North Stars.  42 Goals, 51 Assists, 93 Points, +36, 9.4 Point Shares. 

MacAdam was a gritty player who, in 1979-80, would post his best career numbers.  That year he would 42 Goals, 51 Assists, and 93 Points, all career-highs, as was his +36. 

Eligible Since 1988.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1981:  Blake Dunlop, St. Louis Blues, Center.  20 Goals, 67 Assists, 87 Points, +15, 5.6 Point Shares.

This was Dunlop's best year, where he had 67 Assists and 87 Points, both career-highs.  

Eligible Since 1987.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1982:  Glenn Resch, Colorado Rockies, Goalie.  16 Wins, 31 Losses, 4.04 GAA, .879 Save Percentage, 9.0 Point Shares. 

The Colorado Rockies of the NHL were never any good, but Glenn Resch brought them respectability.  He had previously been a Second Team All-Star twice and a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the New York Islanders.   Resch was also the first Goalie to win the Masterton.

Eligible Since 1990.  Ranked #143 on Notinhalloffame.com

1985:  Anders Hedberg, New York Rangers, Right Wing.  20 Goals, 31 Assists, 51 Points, -14, 3.0 Point Shares.

Anders Hedberg became the first European to win this award, and he was an initial trailblazer in showing the NHL that Swedish players could compete at an elite level in North America.  This was Hedberg's final season in the NHL, and he would score 51 Points and 855 in the NHL and WHA combined.  

Eligible Since 1988.  Ranked #218 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1986:  Charlie Simmer, Boston Bruins, Left Wing.  36 Goals, 24 Assists, 60 Points, +13, 5.5 Point Shares.

Charlie Simmer scored 60 Points this year and remained a good NHL sniper despite having extensive ligament damage.  He was a former two-time First Team All-Star and would put the puck in the net 342 times over his career.  

Eligible Since 1991.  Ranked #116 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1987:  Doug Jarvis, Hartford Whalers, Center.  9 Goals, 13 Assists, 22 Points, 0, 0.3 Point Shares.

This was a special season where Doug Jarvis would break the record of consecutive games of 915 Games.  He would eventually play 964 Games in a row, a since-broken record.  

Eligible Since 1991.  Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1988:  Bob Bourne, Los Angeles Kings, Center.  7 Goals, 11 Assists, 18 Points, -31, -0.8 Point Shares. 

This was the final season of Bob Bourne’s career and 14^th overall.  Bourne had previously won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and would score 582 Points overall.  

Eligible Since 1991.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

1989:  Tim Kerr, Philadelphia Flyers, Right Wing.  48 Goals, 40 Assists, 88 Points, -4, 8.1 Point Shares. 

From 1983-84 to 1986-87, Tim Kerr was a 50 Goal scorer, but in 1987-88, he could only play eight games due to knee and shoulder issues.  He bounced back this season to score 48 Goals.  

Eligible Since 1996.  Ranked #62 on Notinhalloffame.com

1990:  Gord Kluzak, Boston Bruins, Defense.  0 Goals, 2 Assists, 2 Points, +4, 0.7 Point Shares.

Gord Kluzak was the first overall draft pick in 1982, and for the first few years, the blueliner was the shutdown blueliner they expected him to be.  Sadly, he suffered a knee injury after knee injury, and in 1988-89 he could only play three Games.  This year, he fought back, but knee surgeries held him to only eight games, but the fact that he played at all bordered on miraculous.  He played two more games, and after his tenth knee surgery, he had to call it a career.  

Eligible Since 1994.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

1991:  Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings 

Dave Taylor spent all of his 17 years in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings.  This was year 14.  Taylor was one of the most respected players in hockey, and he also won the King Clancy Award this year, making him the first to win both in the same season.  

Eligible Since 1997.  Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com

1992:  Mark Fitzpatrick, New York Islanders, Goalie.   11 Wins, 13 Losses, 5 Ties, 3.20 GAA, .902 Save Percentage, 6.2 Point Shares.

Mark Fitzpatrick missed most of the previous campaign due to Eosinophilia-myalgia, a potentially fatal neural disease.  He would come back to play 30 games in the net for the Isles this year.  He would play until the 1999-00 Season. 

Eligible Since 2003.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

1996:  Gary Roberts, Calgary Flames, Left Wing.  22 Goals, 22 Assist, 42 Points, +15, 5.3 Point Shares. 

Gary Roberts suffered nerve issues with his neck that caused him to miss most of the 1994-95 season, and he could only play 35 Games this year.  In what could have been a career-ending injury, Roberts continued to play more than a decade more until he was 42.  

Eligible Since 2011.  Ranked #75 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1997:  Tony Granato, San Jose Sharks, Right Wing.  25 Goals, 15 Assists, 40 Points, -7, 4.2 Point Shares.

Tony Granato would have a head injury in a game in January of 1996 that was so bad that he suffered bleeding in the left lobe of his brain.  He would return to hockey after brain surgery, where the Shark would have a 40 Point campaign.  

Eligible Since 2004.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1998:  Jamie McLennan, St. Louis Blues, Goalie.  16 Wins, 8 Losses, 2.17 GAA, .903 Save Percentage, 3.4 Point Shares. 

Jamie McLennan was playing for the New York Islanders, and he suffered from bacterial meningitis that would be life-threatening.  McLennan missed a lot of time, and he would come back to the NHL with St. Louis, where he played 30 Games with a 2.17 GAA.

Eligible Since 2010.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1999:  John Cullen, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points, -2, -0.2 Point Shares. 

The career of John Cullen seemed to end when he contacted non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1997.  The Center had to sit out the 1997-98 season, but he managed to come back to the NHL and was in four Games for the Lightning that year before he retired for good.  

Eligible Since 2002.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2000:  Ken Daneyko, New Jersey Devils, Defense.  0 Goals, 6 Assists, 6 Points, +13, 3.0 Point Shares.

Ken Daneyko did not come back from an injury, but he did battle alcoholism, which is a potent disease in its own right.  Daneyko had a long career in hockey, with all 20 seasons being served in a New Jersey Devils jersey.  He would win three Stanley Cups over his career.  

Eligible Since 2006.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2001:  Adam Graves, New York Rangers, Left Wing.  10 Goals, 16 Assists, 26 Points, -16, 0.5 Point Shares. 

We have used the term "Lifetime Achievement Award" concerning this particular accolade, and we will use it again for Adam Graves' 2001 Masterton win.  The Left Wing was a grizzled vet by this time and had previously won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994. 

Eligible Since 2006.  Ranked #67 on Notinhalloffame.com

2002:  Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens, Center.  0 Goals, 2 Assists, 2 Points, 0, 0.1 Point Shares. 

Saku Koivu was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma in September before the season, and he was expected to miss the entire year.  Koivu shocked everyone by returning with three games left in the year, and he would also participate in the playoffs.  

Eligible Since 2017.  Ranked #131 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2004:  Bryan Berard, Chicago Blackhawks, Defense.  13 Goals, 34 Assists, 47 Points, -24, 6.1 Point Shares. 

In 1997 Brian Berard was the Calder Trophy winner and would later suffer an injury to his eye.  Berard would be legally blind in one eye, and he won this award due to his perseverance to continue to play.  This season would see Berard score a career-high 47 Points.

Eligible Since 2011.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2008:  Jason Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing.  15 Goals, 37 Assists, 52 Points, -4, 4.2 Point Shares. 

Jason Blake would be diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia but would play the entire year.  He would have 52 Points this campaign.  

Eligible Since 2015.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2009:  Steve Sullivan, Nashville Predators, Left Wing.  11 Goals, 21 Assists, 32 Points, +2, 3.3 Point Shares. 

After having a 60 Point year in 2006-07, Steve Sullivan would later have issues that would cause him to miss a year and parts of two others due to fragmented disc and groin issues.  

Eligible Since 2016.  Ranked #225 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2010:  Jose Theodore, Washington Capitals, Goalie.  30 Wins, 7 Losses, 7 Ties, 2.81 GAA, .911 Save Percentage, 8.0 Point Shares.

Jose Theodore was a surprise winner of the Hart Trophy and Vezina in 2002; this was his best year since that campaign.  This year, Theodore had to deal with the death of his young son due to the complications of premature birth.  

Eligible Since 2016.  Ranked #186 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2011:  Ian Laperriere, Philadelphia Flyers, Right Wing.  No Games. 

In the 2010 playoffs, Laperriere blocked a shot with his face, resulting in post-concussion syndrome.  This would make him the first player to win this after his career was technically over.  He would not play this year, and for that matter, ever again.  

Eligible Since 2013.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2013:  Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild, Goalie.  1 Win, 1 Loss, 3.24 GAA, .863 Save Percentage, 0.0 Point Shares.  

Josh Harding would come back after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the off-season and would manage to play in five regular season games and the playoffs.  Harding played in 29 Games the following season and would lead the NHL in Save Percentage (.933) and Goals Against Average (1.66).  That was the last year for Harding as he had a broken foot to begin the 2014-15 season, and after issues with his MS came up, he never played in the NHL again.  

Eligible Since 2018.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2014:  Dominic Moore, New York Rangers, Center.  6 Goals, 12 Assists, 18 Points, 0, 1.4 Point Shares.

Moore returned to the NHL after taking 18 months off to tend to his wife, Katie, who was battling a rare form of liver cancer.  She passed away in January 2013.  Moore returned to the league with the New York Rangers playing 73 Games.  

Eligible Since 2021.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the NHL Bill Masterton Trophy who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame: 

2015:  Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild, Goalie.  36 Wins, 14 Losses, 4 Ties, 2.07 GAA, .929 Save Percentage, 12.6 Point Shares.

Devan Dubnyk was carving out a decent career, though it was unremarkable.  He had played 171 Games in the net for the Edmonton Oilers and was traded to the Nashville Predators in 2014 but only played there for two Games.  The Goalie signed with the Arizona Coyotes, where he played for 19 Games, had a 2.72 Goals Against Average and was traded mid-season to the Minnesota Wild.  Dubnyk then went on fire, taking them to the playoffs, where he went 27-9-2 with a 1.78 GAA.  He would be named an All-Star and was a Second Team All-Star that year.  He has since gone to two more All-Star Games with Minnesota.  

Eligible in 2024.

2020:  Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators, Left Wing.  5 Goals, 3 Assists, 8 Points, +3, 0.4 Point Shares.

Ryan scored a hat trick on his first game after taking time off to deal with his PTSD and alcohol issues.  He was open about his ailment and could play one more season.    

Eligible in 2024.

The following are the past players who have won the NHL Bill Masterton Trophy and are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and are still active.

2007:  Phil Kessel, Boston Bruins, Right Wing.  11 Goals, 18 Assists, 29 Points, -12, 2.0 Point Shares.

Phil Kessel became the first rookie player to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.  Kessel contracted testicular cancer and missed 12 Games this year.  He still managed to have a 29 Point year.  Kessel would later win a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh and set the iron-man mark for consecutive games played.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Vegas Golden Knights.

2012:  Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens, Left Wing.  33 Goals, 32 Assists, 65 Points, +2, 9.0 Point Shares. 

In the 2010-11 season, Max Pacioretty was knocked out of a game with a concussion and a fractured vertebra.  He returned with his first 65 Point season.  

34 Years Old, Playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.

2016:  Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, Right Wing.  27 Goals, 39 Assists, 66 Points, +23, 9.2 Point Shares.

How was Jaromir Jagr still playing in the NHL and at a level where he scored 66 Points.  How is that not showing off a dedication to hockey?  

50 Years Old, Playing for HC Kladno in the Czech League.

2017:  Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators, Goalie.  25 Wins, 11 Losses, 4 Ties, 2.28 GAA, .926 Save Percentage, 9.2 Point Shares.

Anderson had a rough personal year as he had taken some time off mid-season, where he had to tend to his wife, who was diagnosed with cancer.  He returned and took the Senators to a surprise conference Final.  

41 Years Old, Playing for the Buffalo Sabres.

2018:  Brian Boyle, New Jersey Devils, Center.  13 Goals, 10 Assists, 23 Points, -9, 2.0 Point Shares.

Brian Boyle was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia in training camp, which caused him to miss the start of the season.  Boyle returned in November and had a 23 Point season.  

38 Years Old, Free Agent.

2019:  Robin Lehner, New York Islanders, Goalie.  25 Wins, 13 Losses, 5 Ties, 2.13 GAA, .930 Save Percentage, 10.2 Point Shares.

Robin Lehner went public in the off-season about his battles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder.  He came back with a career-high 2.13 Goals Against Average over 46 Games.  He would also win the William M. Jennings Award, making him the first to win the Jennings and Masterton in the same year.  

31 Years Old, Playing for the Vegas Golden Knights.

2021:  Oskar Lindblom, Philadelphia Flyers, Left Wing.  8 Goals, 6 Assists, 14 Points, -9, 0.7 Point Shares.  

Lindblom was diagnosed during the previous season with Ewing's Sarcoma but was able to return for Philadelphia's post-season.  He had a full and healthy year in 2020/21.

25 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Flyers.

2022:  Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie.  1 Win, 4 Losses, 3.63 GAA, 8.78 Save Percentage, 0.4 Point Shares.  

Price, who won the 2015 Hart and Vezina, had to overcome severe knee issues and a battle with substance abuse.  It was incredible that he played at all this year.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

The Bill Masterton Trophy has been historically awarded to the man who overcame the most to keep playing and failing that, acting as a de facto lifetime achievement award.  It will never reflect greatness on the ice, but mostly the battle to get on to it.  As prestigious as this accolade is, it has little, if any, impact on Hockey Hall of Fame induction.

The playoffs are obviously more important than the regular season, yet the playoff MVP always takes a back seat to the regular season MVP.  If we are of the belief (and many of us are) that this is where legends rise, the Conn Smythe Trophy, given annually to the best playoff performer should tell an accurate Hall of Fame tale.

The award is named after Conn Smythe, the longtime Owner, General Manager and Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  It was first awarded in 1965.

The results are as follows:

There are currently 38 former Conn Smythe winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible with all 26 entering, yielding a percentage of 68.4.  

This covered 44 years of Hall-eligible winners, of which 32 of them saw a Conn Smythe winner enter the Hall.  This yields a percentage of 72.7.

The following are the past players who have won the Conn Smythe Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

1965:  Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadians, Center.  8 Goals, 8 Assists, 16 Points, -1. 

This was Beliveau’s sixth of ten Stanley Cups, and while this was his only Conn Smythe, he would lead in Playoff Assists two more times.  He would score 172 Points in NHL Playoff hockey and has the most all time for the Montreal Canadians.  In regular season action, Beliveau is a two-time Hart, one-time Art Ross and six-time First Team All-Star.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1967:  Dave Keon, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center.  3 Goals, 5 Assists, 8 Points, +1. 

The last Stanley Cup for Keon (of four), is also currently the last one for the Maple Leafs.  His eight Points are the fewest of any Conn Smythe winner (Toronto’s Jim Pappin, led all skaters with 15), but it was the way he shut down the inaugural winner, Jean Beliveau, that pushed him to the win.    Previously, Keon won the Calder, twice won the Lady Byng and was a two-time Second Team All-Star.  Playoff-wise, Keon had 67 total Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

1968:  Glenn Hall, St. Louis Blues, Goalie.  8 Wins, 10 Losses, 2.43 GAA, .916 Save Percentage.

Yes, this was a losing record but the hockey pundits knew that Hall was the reason that the Blues were as competitive as they were in the Finals.  Hall had already won the Stanley Cup before with Chicago, was a former Calder winner, and won his second Vezina and seventh First Team All-Star the year after season.  He played three more years before he retired.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

1969:  Serge Savard, Montreal Canadians, Defenseman.  4 Goals, 6 Assists, 10 Points +2.

A member of the Habs’ “Big Three” of their great defensive corps, Serge Savard would win seven Stanley Cups, with this being his second, and he became the first Defenseman to win the Norris.  In future playoffs (1976 & 1978), he would lead all skaters in Plus/Minus and overall score 68 Points in 138 Playoff Games.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

1970:  Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defenseman.  9 Goals, 11 Assists, 20 Points +24.

What a year!  Orr won not only his first Conn Smythe, but also his first Stanley Cup and Hart Trophy.  He also secured his third Norris, making him the first and only player to win the Norris, Hart and Conn Smythe in the same season.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

1971:  Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadians, Goalie.  12 Wins, 8 Losses, 3.01 GAA, .914 Save Percentage. 

Is this not one of the coolest facts in sports?  Ken Dryden won the Conn Smythe BEFORE he won the Calder Trophy!  Dryden was called up late in the 1970-71 season and played only 6 games but one the starting job.  Dryden’s overall playoff record is 80 and 32 with a 2.40 GAA and six Stanley Cups.  This was Dryden’s only Conn Smythe, but he put together much better statistical performances in later playoff years.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

1972 (2):  Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, Defenseman.  5 Goals, 19 Assists, 24 Points +20.

Orr accomplished the same sick feat that he did two years before, winning the Hart, Norris, Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe in the same year, while also becoming the first player to win the Conn Smythe twice.  The trailblazing Defenseman never won another Cup, but had an overall playoff total of 92 Points in 74 Games.  Orr is the first and only eight-time Norris winner, and hen his career was over, he was fast-tracked into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

1973:  Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal Canadians, Right Wing.  15 Goals, 10 Assists, 25 Points, +6.

Cournoyer was named a Second Team All-Star for the fourth and final time, and he had his best post-season in hockey, becoming the first player to score 25 Points in a playoff.  He won eight Stanley Cups, this year being his sixth, and scored 127 Points in total playoff action.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

1974:  Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers.  12 Wins, 5 Losses, 2.02 GAA, .933 Save Percentage. 

This is the year where Bernie Parent became a legend and a future Hockey Hall of Famer.  Parent would take the “Broad Steeet Bullies” to the promised land and cement his hockey legacy in this postseason.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

1975 (2):  Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers.  10 Wins, 5 Losses, 1.89 GAA, .924 Save Percentage. 

Parent became the second player to win two Conn Smythes, and the first to win it back-to-back.  In his two Conn Smythe winning years, Parent won the Vezina and was a First Team All-Star, but he was not the same Goalie afterward, and was no longer in the elite group of netminders, though he did enough to get into the Hall of Fame.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

1977:  Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadians, Right Wing.  9 Goals, 17 Assists, 26 Points, +20.

Guy Lafleur won five Stanley Cups over his career, this one being his third where he won his only Conn Smythe.  It was an incredible season for Lafleur, who also won the Hart, the Pearson and the Art Ross.   This may have been Lafleur’s only Conn Smythe, but he was in contention for the next two as he was the leading scorer in this playoff and the next two.  He would amass 134 Playoff Points in 128 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

1978:  Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadians, Defense.  4 Goals, 17 Assists, 21 Points, +21.

One of the best blueliners in Canadiens history, Robinson captured six Stanley Cups with Montreal, with the one in 1978 being his fourth.  He led all playoff skaters in Assists (17), Points (21) and Plus/Minus (+21), and the two-time Norris winner accumulated 144 Points in his playoff history.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.

1979:  Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadians, Defense.  6 Goals, 10 Assists, 16 Points, +4.

Bob Gainey earned a reputation as one of the best defensive forwards of his day, and fittingly he won the first four Frank J. Selke Awards (including his second this year) as the league’s best defensive forward.  Gainey won his fourth of five Stanley Cups this year, and this was his best performance, averaging a Point per Game.  He had 73 Points on 182 Playoff Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

1980:  Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, Center.  12 Goals, 17 Assists, 29 Points, +8.

It was appropriate that Bryan Trottier, who the year before brought the Islanders their first Hart and Art Ross, would be the man who in New York’s first Stanley Cup, took home the first Conn Smythe.  Trottier led the Isles to the titles in the next three years, and later was a supporting figure in Pittsburgh’s first two Cups.  Trottier accumulated 169 Points in 175 Playoff Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1982:  Mike Bossy, New York Islanders, Right Wing.  17 Goals, 10 Assists, 27 Points, +7.

In the third year of the Islanders dynasty, a third Conn Smythe winner emerged with their prime sniper, Mike Bossy.  The five-time First Team All-Star Right led all players in 17 Goals, the same amount he led in the year before and after.  He arguably had a claim to have won the Conn Smythe in 1981, as he was first in Goals (17), Assists (18) and Points (35), but as seen above he fell to goring.  This playoff, Bossy also had three Game-Winning Goals.  Overall, Bossy had 160 Playoff Points in 128 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

1983:  Billy Smith, New York Islanders, Goalie.  13 Wins, 3 Losses, 2.69 GAA, .913 Save Percentage.

Billy Smith won the last Conn Smythe of the Islanders dynasty, and became the first player to win the Smythe and William M. Jennings Trophy the year before.  A Vezina winner the year before, Smith was a member of all four New York Stanley Cup wins, Smith led all playoff Goalies in Save Percentage (.913), and for five years in a row (1980-84) had the most Wins in the playoffs.  His overall playoff record was 88-36. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

1984:  Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers, Center.  8 Goals, 18 Assists, 26 Points, +9.

The Islanders dynasty passed the torch to the Oilers dynasty, and it was Mark Messier, the man who would have a leadership trophy named after him that won it first for Edmonton.  The Smythe was an intriguing win for Messier, who was converted from Left Wing to Center for the playoffs, and his end-to-end play was the engine that kickstarted it all.  Messier won five more Stanley Cups (four with Edmonton and one with the Rangers), and arguably, he had a case for the 1990 win, when he led all skaters in Assists (22) and Points (31), but that went to Goalie, Bill Ranford.  The two-time Hart winner had 295 career Points in the playoffs.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

1985:  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center.  17 Goals, 30 Assists, 47 Points, +27.

Considering the number of awards that Wayne Gretzky won, the knowledge that he was not the first Conn Smythe winner in Oilers history is a little surprising, but when “The Great One” did win it, he did so epically.  Gretzky was not only the first Conn Smythe winner to break 30 Points, he broke 40, and still holds the record for Points in the post-season with 47.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1986:  Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie.  15 Wins. 5 Losses, 1.93 GAA, .923 Save Percentage.

Patrick Roy followed into the Canadiens footsteps of Ken Dryden, who it felt like came out of nowhere to backstop Montreal to a Stanley Cup Title.  This year, Roy stood on his head to take a team to a championship, and usher in a new legend in Quebec-based hockey.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

1988 (2):  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, Center.  12 Goals, 31 Assists, 34 Points, +10.

Gretzky won his second Conn Smythe on his fourth and final Cup win, and he did so as the second player to have at least 40 Points in a playoff.  He won two more Cups with the Oilers, and tallied a whopping 382 Points in 208 Playoff Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1989:  Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames, Defenseman.  7 Goals, 24 Assists, 31 Points, +6.

The story of Calgary’s Stanley Cup was Lanny MacDonald winning it in his last year, but the best player was Defenseman, Al MacInnis.  This was MacInnis’s only Cup, but he would later win a Norris Trophy with the St. Louis Blues.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1991:  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  16 Goals, 28 Assists, 44 Points, +14.

Mario Lemieux’s Conn Smythe win was the culmination of his arrival in Pittsburgh years earlier, which saved the franchise from leaving Western Pennsylvania.  He became the second player after Gretzky to eclipse 540 Points in a playoff.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1992 (2):  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  16 Goals, 18 Assists, 34 Points, +6.

Lemieux is not the first multi-time winner of the Conn Smythe, but he is the first to do so back-to-back.  Not only did Super Mario lead the playoffs in Goals (16) and Points (8) while also topping the standings in Game-Winning Goals with 5.  He would total an outstanding 172 Playoff Points in 107 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1993 (2):  Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens, Goalie.  16 Wins. 4 Losses, 2.13 GAA, .929 Save Percentage.

Roy again took a team that should not have won it all, but did so based mostly on their Goalie, who won a Vezina and four William M. Jennings Trophies in between the two Smythes. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

1994:  Brian Leetch, New York Rangers, Defense.  11 Goals, 23 Assists, 34 Points, +19.

Mark Messier received the most attention when the Rangers brought back the Stanley Cup in 1994, but it was their star Defenseman, that captured the Conn Smythe.  The two-time Norris winner led the playoffs in Assists (23), Points (34), Plus/Minus (+19) and Game-Winning Goals (4).  Over his playoff career (all but one appearance with the Rangers), he had 97 Points in 95 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

1996:  Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche, Center.  18 Goals, 16 Assists, 34 Points, +10.

Sakic was dominant in Colorado’s first Stanley Cup win, leading the skaters in Goals (18), Points (34), Shots (98) and Game-Winning Goals (6), showing that he was money when it mattered most.  He did not win the Conn Smythe in 2001 (that went to Goalie, Patrick Roy), but Sakic against was first in Goals (13), Points (26) and Game-Winning Goals (3).  Sakic’s playoff career saw the Center have 188 Points in 172 Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

1998:  Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings, Center.  6 Goals, 18 Assists, 24 Points, +10.

Yzerman was already a grizzled veteran at this stage, but the leader of the Red Wings was still a top player who led by example.  “Stevie Y” took Detroit to three Stanley Cups, with this year being his second.  He led all playoff performers in Assists (18) and Points (24), and in Detroit’s third Stanley Cup in 2002, he had 23 Points over those four series.  Yzerman amassed 185 Points in 196 Playoff Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

1999:  Joe Nieuwendyk, Dallas Stars, Center.  11 Goals, 10 Assists, 21 Points, +7.

Nieuwendyk won three Stanley Cups with three different teams, with 1999 in Dallas being his second (the others were Calgary in 1989 and New Jersey in 2003).  The veteran led all skaters in Goals (11), Even-Strength Goals (8) and Game-Winning Goals (6), and had 116 Playoff Points over his career.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

2000:  Scott Stevens, New Jersey Devils, Defense.  3 Goals, 8 Assists, 11 Points, +9.

11 Points do not seem like much for a Conn Smythe winner, even a Defenseman, but the Devils strategy was all about lockdown defense, and Stevens could do that, as well as provide the necessary offensive rush.  Stevens was a member of New Jersey’s three Stanley Cups, all employing the same strategy, and in this win, his +9 was enough to lead all skaters in this dead-puck era. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

2001 (3):  Patrick Roy, Colorado Rockies, Goalie.  16 Wins, 7 Losses, 1.70 GAA, .934 Save Percentage.

An awful lot happened from the second Conn Smythe to the third, as Roy, forced his way out of Montreal, was traded to Colorado, and backstopped them to a Stanley Cup in their first year after relocation.  He was at his best in this year’s playoff, leading all Goalies in Save Percentage (.934), Goals Against Average (1.70), and Shutouts (4), and over his playoff career had 151 Wins against 17 Losses with 23 Shutouts and a 2.30 GAA.  Roy is the only player to win three Conn Smythes. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

2002:  Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings, Defense.  5 Goals, 11 Assists, 16 Points, +6.

Lidstrom anchored Detroit to four Stanley Cups, and you had to know that the seven-time Norris winner would capture at least one Conn Smythe.  The Defenseman scored 183 Points in 263 Playoff Games, all with Detroit.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

2007:  Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks, Defense.  3 Goals, 8 Assists, 11 Points, +2.

Niedermayer, who won the Norris three years before, also was named a First Team All-Star for the third time this year, but it was the Stanley Cup win that was the biggest reward of all.  His defensive prowess and leadership took the Ducks over the hump, and he knew what it took to do this, as Niedermayer was a three-time Cup winner with New Jersey.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

The following are the players who have won the Conn Smythe Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

1966:  Roger Crozier, Detroit Red Wings, Goalie.  6 Wins, 5 Losses, 10 Points +2.

It only took until year two for the Conn Smythe to go to a player on the losing side, as Crozier’s Red Wings fell to the Montreal Canadiens.  It was a gutsy performance by Crozier, who suffered a leg injury in Game 4 of the Finals, but did the best he could.  Crozier, who was a First Team All-Star and Calder winner the year before, never won another award, but he played until 1977, notably with the second half as a Buffalo Sabre.  He had a career record of 113-118-43.  

Eligible Since 1980.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1976:  Reggie Leach, Philadelphia Flyers, Right Wing.  19 Goals, 5 Assists, 24 Points +14.

Leach won the Stanley Cup the year before, but despite the Conn Sythe win, the Flyers went down in the Finals to the Montreal Canadiens.  To date, he is the only skater to win the Conn Smythe on a losing team.  In this season’s playoffs, he led all players in Goals (24), Even Strength Goals (17) and Shot Percentage (31.1), and it ended his most successful year, where he was a Second Team All-Star, and was first in Goals with 61.

Eligible Since 1986.  Ranked #46 Notinhalloffame.com.

1981:  Butch Goring, New York Islanders, Center.  10 Goals, 10 Assists, 20 Points +6.

When the Islanders traded for Goring at last year’s trading deadline, he was viewed as the final piece of the puzzle, and he was, aiding New York in their first Stanley Cup win.  This year, Goring, was the playoff leader in Shooting Percentage (27.8), had two Short-Handed Goals, and in the next two Cup Titles for New York, Goring remained a strong performer, who would total 62 Points in the four playoff-winning years.  

Eligible Since 1988.  Ranked #34 Notinhalloffame.com.

1987:  Ron Hextall, Philadelphia Flyers, Goalie.  15 Wins, 11 Losses, 2.76 GAA, .908 Save Percentage.

It is always bittersweet to win the Conn Smythe on a losing team, and he became the second Flyer (the first being Reggie Leach) to do so.  Hextall logged the most time of any Goalie in this year’s playoff (1,542), and it ended the most dynamic rookie years of any non-Calder winner (he was second to Luc Robitaille of Los Angeles).  He also won the Vezina this year.  Hextall never equalled this success, nor did he ever win a Stanley Cup, but he had a nice long career.

Eligible Since 2002.  Ranked #50 Notinhalloffame.com.

1990:  Bill Ranford, Edmonton Oilers, Goalie.  16 Wins, 6 Losses, 2.53 GAA, .912 Save Percentage.

Ranford’s best moment in Pro Hockey came as Edmonton’s Goalie in their fifth Stanley Cup, a title they had to win one without Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey.  Ranford took over for the struggling Grant Fuhr, and won all of Edmonton’s 16 Wins, and might have won this over Messier as his contributions were unexpected.  He never won another Stanley Cup, or any other major award in the NHL.

Eligible Since 2002.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

1995:  Claude Lemieux, New Jersey Devils, Left Wing.  13 Goals, 3 Assists, 16 Points, +12.

Claude Lemieux is not likely to enter the Hocket Hall of Fame, but if there was a post-season Hall, Lemieux would be an early induction.  Winning the first Conn Smythe for New Jersey, Lemieux’s 13 Goals were playoff leading, as was his 13 in 1997.  He overall won 4 Stanley Cups, scoring 158 Points in 234 Playoff Games.

Eligible Since 2012.  Ranked #174 on Notinhalloffame.com.

1997:  Mike Vernon, Detroit Red Wings, Goalie.  16 Wins, 4 Losses, 1.79 GAA, .927 Save Percentage.

Vernon backstopped Calgary to their first Stanley Cup, but he was better this run with Detroit with his only playoff GAA under two.  This was his last year as a Red Wing, and he had a 77-56 playoff record with a GAA of 2.68.

Eligible Since 2005.  Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2003:  Jean-Sebastien Giguere, The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Goalie.  15 Wins, 6 Losses, 1.62 GAA, .945 Save Percentage.

If you win the Stanley Cup on a losing team, the chances are that you are a Goalie, and that is what we have in 2003 with Giguere, who took the Ducks further than they had any right to be this season.  He would, however, backstop Anaheim to a Cup in 2007.

Eligible Since 2017.  Ranked #276 Notinhalloffame.com.

2004:  Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning, Center.  12 Goals, 14 Assists, 26 Points, +5.

The Lightning won their first Stanley Cup in 2004, and it was Richards, who also won the franchise’s first Lady Byng this year that won the Conn Smythe.  Leading all players with Points (26), Richards later won a second Stanley Cup as a Chicago Blackhawk in 2015.  He overall had 105 Playoff Points.

Eligible Since 2019.  Ranked #60 Notinhalloffame.com.

2006:  Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes, Goalie.  15 Wins, 8 Losses, 2.13 GAA, .920 Save Percentage.

Ward led the Hurricanes to their first Stanley Cup in his rookie year, but this did not usher in a Hall of Fame career.  The Goalie, who was outstanding in the '06 Playoffs, only had one more playoff appearance (2009), though he played in the NHL until 2019.

Eligible Since 2022.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

2008:  Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings, Left Wing.  13 Goals, 14 Assists, 27 Points, +16.

Zetterberg led the skaters in Goals (13), Points (27), Plus/Minus (+16) and Shots (116) and had 4 Game-Winning Goals.  A Red Wing for his entire career, Zetterberg had 120 Points across 137 Playoff Games.

Eligible Since 2021.  Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2011:  Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins, Goalie.  16 Wins, 9 Losses, 1.98 GAA, .940 Save Percentage.

Thomas came out of obscurity in his early 30s and was a Vezina Trophy winner in 2009 and in this season, which was obviously sweeter as it included a Stanley Cup ring and a Conn Smythe.  He led the playoffs in Save Percentage (.940) and Shutouts (4).

Eligible Since 2017.  Ranked #74 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are the players who have won the Conn Smythe Trophy in the NHL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:

2014:  Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Right Wing.  9 Goals, 16 Assists, 25 Points, +13.

Williams had a long career scoring 797 Points over 19 NHL Seasons, but was never a superstar.  Already a two-time Stanley Cup winner (one with Carolina and one with L.A.), Williams had the best performance of his career in the 2014 Playoffs, leading the playoffs in Plus/Minus +13, and doing all the little things that help you win Games.  Williams won’t get into the Hall, but the Smythe is a nice consolation.

Eligible in 2023.

2015:  Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks, Defense.  3 Goals, 18 Assists, 21 Points, +16.

Chicago won three Stanley Cups in the 2010s, and they had three different Conn Smythe winners, all of whom played on all three winning teams.  Keith won two Norris Trophies before this Cup, would lead all players in the 2015 Playoffs in Assists (18) and Plus/Minus (+16).   

Eligible in 2025.

The following are the players who have won the Conn Smythe Trophy who are still active.

2009:  Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  14 Goals, 22 Assists, 36 Points, +3.

Malkin was in his third NHL Season, and he won the Art Ross as well as his first Stanley Cup.  Three years later, he won the Hart, and is currently a three-time Stanley Cup champion.  

36 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2010:  Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, Center.  7 Goals, 23 Assists, 29 Points, -1.  

Toews was the dynamic young Center on the Blackhawks team that won their first Stanley Cup in almost 50 years, and he was first in Assists (22) and Power Play Goals (5).  He would help lead Chicago to Cups in 2013 and 2015, and was the Selke winner in 2013, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2015.

34 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

2012:  Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Goalie.  16 Wins, 4 Losses, 1.41 GAA, .946 Save Percentage.  

Quick was a Second Team All-Star this season, and he led the Playoff Goalies in Save Percentage (.946) and Shutouts (3), and would backstop Los Angeles to another Title two years after.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Kings.

2013:  Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing.  9 Goals, 10 Assists, 19 Points, +7.  

A member of all three Chicago Stanley Cup wins in the 2010s, this was the second, and only Conn Smythe win for Patrick Kane, who was first in Even Strength Goals (9).  Three years later, Kane won the Hart, Ted Lindsay Award and Art Ross.

34 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

2016:  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  6 Goals, 13 Assists, 19 Points, -2.  

Crosby enjoyed his second Stanley Cup with the Penguins and did so in a year that he was the Hart runner-up. 

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2017 (2):  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Center.  8 Goals, 19 Assists, 27 Points, +4.  

Like the season before, Crosby was the second-place finisher in the Hart, but he won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the top Goal Scorer.  Crosby did not lead the playoffs in Goals, but did so in Assists (19), and became the third player to win the Conn Smythe is back-to-back years.

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2018:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Left Wing.  15 Goals, 12 Assists, 27 Points, +8.  

It is fitting that we go from Crosby to Ovechkin, as they have been rivals from day one.  Ovechkin finally took Washington to the promised land, and led all players in the post-season in Goals (15) and Shots (99), and this cemented the legacy of the two-time Hart winner.

37 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Capitals.

2019:  Ryan O’Reilly, St. Louis Blues, Center.  8 Goals, 15 Assists, 23 Points, +2.  

Glenn Hall won St. Louis’s first Conn Smythe, but the Blues lost in the Finals, and we finally have the Cup raised in St. Louis, in their 52^nd season.  O’Reilly, who won the 2014 Lady Byng, led all players in playoff scoring (23).

30 Years Old, Playing for the St. Louis Blues.

2020:  Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning, Defense.  10 Goals, 12 Assists, 22 Points, +13.  

Hedman won the Norris two years earlier, and would have three Game-Winning Goals in this playoff.

32 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2021:  Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning, Goalie.  16 Wins, 7 Losses, 1.90 GAA, .937 Save Percentage.  

Vasilevskiy was the runner-up for the Vezina this year, and led the NHL in Wins with 31.  In the playoffs, he faced the most Shots (699), but still had the highest Save Percentage (.937), while posting five Shutouts, which also led the post-season.

28 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2022:  Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche, Defense.  8 Goals, 21 Assists, 29 Points, +7.  

Makar also won the Norris this year, joining a club that was founded by Bobby Orr.

24 Years Old, Playing for the Colorado Avalanche.

The Conn Smythe can help put a good player over the Hall of Fame hump, but you have to be also lucky; i.e., be on a team good enough to make the Finals.   

Named after Hockey Hall of Fame player, coach, and general manager, Art Ross, the award began in 1947-48 and is awarded to the player who accumulates the most Points in the regular season.  Unlike most awards, it is not arbitrary, as it is based purely on one statistic.  Notably, if players tie in Points, the tie-breaker goes to the player with the most Goals.  Generally, if you are the highest scorer in any sport in a season, you can expect this to generate multiple Hall of Fame inductees.

The results are as follows:

There are currently 20 former Art Ross winners who are Hockey Hall of Fame eligible with all 20 entering, yielding a percentage of 100.0.  

This covered 58 years of Hall-eligible winners, which obviously comes in at 100.0%.

The following are the past players who have won the Art Ross Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

1948:  Elmer Lach, Montreal Canadiens, 30 Goals, 31 Assists, 61 Points, 7.5 Point Shares.

How fitting is it that a Montreal player won this award first?  Elmer Lach has already won two Stanley Cups for Montreal, and he won the coveted Hart Trophy in 1944-45.  He won his only Art Ross Trophy this season, narrowly beating New York's Buddy O'Connor by one Point.  Lach would finish third in Hart Trophy voting and was a First Team All-Star this season.  Lach played for the Habs until 1954, winning another Stanley Cup and earning another First Team All-Star before retiring.  He would have 623 career Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

1949:  Roy Conacher, Chicago Blackhawks, 26 Goals, 42 Assists, 68 Points, 7.4 Points Shares.      

This season was by far the best season of Roy Conacher's career.  As a rookie with the Boston Bruins, he would lead the NHL in Goals (26) and win the Stanley Cup.  He won his second two years later, but individually this was his best year, where he had a career-high 68 Points, and the then Blackhawk winger would finish third in Hart Trophy voting and was a First Team All-Star for the first and only time.  Conacher played three more years and retired with 427 Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

1950:  Ted Lindsay, Detroit Red Wings, 22 Goals, 55 Assists, 78 Points, 9.0 Point Shares.

This would be Ted Lindsay's only Art Ross win, with him earning the second First Team All-Star of what would be eight over his career.  Finishing seventh in Hart Trophy voting this season, Lindsay would win his first Stanley Cup and three more in the 1950s.  Lindsay played until 1960, with another season in 1964-65.  He had 851 Points overall in his career. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.

1951:  Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings.  43 Goals, 43 Assists, 86 Points, 12.1 Point Shares.  

Gordie Howe had already established himself as a star in the NHL after having been named a Second Team All-Star the last two seasons, but this year he destroyed everyone in the race for the Art Ross.  His 86 Points were 20 more than the second-place finisher (Rocket Richard), and he was third in Hart Trophy voting.  This win was just the beginning of Howe's association with the Art Ross. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1952 (2):  Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 47 Goals, 39 Assists, 86 Points, 13.1 Point Shares.      

Gordie Howe became the first player to repeat as the Art Ross Trophy winner and the first to win the Hart Trophy in the same season.  Howe helped the Red Wings the Stanley Cup, which was second, as he helped them win in 1950.  Notably, Howe's closest competitor was his teammate, Ted Lindsay, who was 17 Points behind.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1953 (3):  Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 47 Goals, 39 Assists, 86 Points, 15.5 Point Shares

Howe made history again as the first three-time winner, which he accomplished in three straight seasons.  Howe again would see his teammate, Ted Lindsay, and this time he led his closest competitor by 24 Points.  Howe repeated as the Hart Trophy winner. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1954 (4):  Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings.  33 Goals, 48 Assists, 81 Points, 11.6 Point Shares.      

Another year and another Art Ross Trophy for Howe, who made it four in a row.  Howe again led the Red Wings to another Stanley Cup, and he was again more than ten Points ahead of his nearest competitor, who this year was Rocket Richard, who had 67 Points.  Howe finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1955:  Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal Canadiens.  38 Goals, 37 Assists, 75 Points, 10.3 Point Shares.

In the province of Quebec, this is the most controversial Art Ross Trophy winner, even though a member of the Montreal Canadiens won it.  Bernie Geoffrion beat his teammate, Rocket Richard, by one Point, which he accomplished when the league suspended Richard for striking an official.  Richard was so popular that they booed Geoffrion for winning the scoring title, and it was Richard who was named a First Team All-Star, and not Geoffrion, who was named to the Second Team.  Geoffrion's win marked the first time an Art Ross winner would not be a First Team All-Star. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1956:  Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens, 47 Goals, 41 Assists, 88 Points, 13.0 Point Shares.           

Playing his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens, Jean Beliveau won the Art Ross and the Hart Trophy this year.  This might have been Beliveau’s only Art Ross, but this was the second First Team All-Star of what would be six.  Beliveau would also win the Hart again in 1963-64, and this season he captured the first of his ten Stanley Cups.  The Quebecer played until 1971 and retired with 1,219 career Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1957 (5):  Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 44 Goals, 45 Assists, 89 Points, 11.8 Point Shares.      

Howe would help the Red Wings win another Stanley Cup in 1955, and this season not only did he win his fifth Art Ross Trophy, but he also won his third Hart Trophy.  Howe's closest competitor was again his teammate, Ted Lindsay, who was only four Points behind.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1958:  Dickie Moore, Montreal Canadiens, 36 Goals, 48 Assists, 84 Points, 9.7 Point Shares.

Dickie Moore would also win his only Goal Scoring Title this season, and he was eighth in Hart Trophy voting.  Moore also helped Montreal win the Stanley Cup this year.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

1959 (2):  Dickie Moore, Montreal Canadiens, 41 Goals, 55 Assists, 96 Points, 11.0 Point Shares.

Moore went back-to-back with Art Ross Trophies, and this was also his second (and final) First Team All-Star Selection.  Moore again won the Stanley Cup, this being the fourth of what would be six total.  Moore played until 1968, where he accumulated 607 Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

1960:  Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 Goals, 42 Assists, 81 Points, +27, 9.2 Point Shares. 

Bobby Hull narrowly defeated Bronco Horvath of the Boston Bruins by one Point to win his first Art Ross Trophy.  "The Golden Jet" was a First Team All-Star for the first time, and he also won his first Goal Scoring Title and finished second in Hart Trophy voting.  He would help Chicago win the Stanley Cup this season.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

1961:  Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal, 50 Goals, 45 Assists, 95 Points, +3, 11.6 Point Shares

This was Geoffrion’s second and last Art Ross, and considering the drama he dealt with in his first one in 1955, this had to feel so much better.  Geoffrion did finish ahead of another teammate, Jean Beliveau, by five Points, but Habs fans were ok this time.  This season, Geoffrion was a First Team All-Star for the only time, and he also captured the Hart Trophy.  While Montreal did not win the Stanley Cup this year, he helped them win the previous five.  Geoffrion played for Montreal until 1966 and had two final seasons with the New York Rangers.  He retired with 822 Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1962 (2):  Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks.  39 Goals, 42 Assists, 91 Points, +10, 10.0 Points Shares.

There was a tie in the Points standings for the first time, but Hull had 50 Goals to Andy Bathgate's 28, thus giving the Blackhawk his second Art Ross trophy.  Hull was third in Hart Trophy voting this season.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

1963 (6):  Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings.  38 Goals., 48 Assists, 86 Points, +23, 9.5 Point Shares.

This was the last Art Ross of Gordie Howe's career, and it was also his final Hart Trophy, which coincidentally was also his sixth.  Howe defeated Andy Bathgate by five Points for this honor.  Overall, he was a 12-time First Team All-Star and retired in 1971.  He would return to hockey in the WHA in 1973, first with the Houston Aeros, then the New England Whalers, who became the Hartford Whalers of the NHL in 1979.  Howe stayed with the team for their first year in the NHL.  He retired with 2,358 combined Points in the NHL/WHA. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

1964:  Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks.   39 Goals, 50 Assists, 89 Points, +21, 10.7 Point Shares.

Stan Mikita was a First Team All-Star for the third straight year and fifth in Hart Trophy voting in his first Art Ross-winning season.  While this would not be Mikita's proverbial breakout season, he was cemented as an elite player.  Mikita won the scoring title by two points over Bobby Hull, his long-time teammate. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

1965 (2):  Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks.  28 Goals, 59 Assists, 87 Points, +29, 9.2 Point Shares.

Mikita went back-to-back in Art Ross Trophy wins, but he was not named a First Team All-Star, as that would go to Norm Ullman, who finished second in scoring to him.   

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

1966:  Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks.  39 Goals, 42 Assists, 91 Points, +19, 11.8 Point Shares. 

Bobby Hull won his third and final Art Ross Trophy and did so the season after he secured his first Hart and only Lady Byng Trophy.  This year would see Hull win his second straight Hart.  Hull stayed in the NHL until 1972 (and would return in 1980 with the Jets); he was a nine-time First Team All-Star.  Hull would join the Winnipeg Jets in 1972, where he stayed during the NHL/WHA merger, and he played nine final games in pro hockey with the Hartford Whalers before retiring.  His combined NHL/WHA Points totaled 1,808.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.

1967 (3):  Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 28 Goals, 59 Assists, +40, 87 Points, 10.2 Point Shares

Mikita returned as the scoring leader after Bobby Hull had it the year before, and he was 17 Points ahead of the nearest skater, which was Hull.  Mikita swept the major regular season awards with the Art Ross, the Hart Trophy, and the Lady Byng.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

1968 (4):  Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 28 Goals, 59 Assists, 87 Points, 0+-, 10.0 Point Shares.

This was Mikita's fourth and final Art Ross and the second back-to-back for the star.  Mikita's win also marked five consecutive Blackhawks winning the Art Ross.  Like the season before, Mikita also won the Hart and Lady Byng.  Mikita played until 1980, in a career that was spent entirely with Chicago.  He finished his career with 1,467 Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.

1969:  Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 49 Goals, 77 Assists, 126 Points, +55, 15.1 Point Shares. 

As expansion diluted the talent pool, it was only a matter of time before there was a 100 Point Scorer.  This season there were three, with Gordie Howe (103), Bobby Hull (107), and this season's Art Ross Trophy winner, Phil Esposito (126).  The Boston Bruin would win his first Hart Trophy and make his First Team All-Star debut.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

1970:  Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, 33 Goals, 87 Assists, 120 Points, +54, 19.5 Point Shares.       

What Bobby Orr accomplished this year was unprecedented.  This season, Orr became the first and, to date, only Defenseman to win the Art Ross Trophy.  It was such a phenomenal year that Orr would lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup Championship, and he won the Conn Smythe Award as the playoff MVP.  Orr would also win the Norris Trophy and the Hart Trophy this year.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

1971 (2):  Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 76 Goals, 76 Assists, 156 Points, +69, 18.5 Point Shares. 

The season before, Esposito, Orr, and company took Boston to a Stanley Cup win.  They did not win this season, but Esposito shattered the single-season Goal record and his own Points record.  Amazingly, he was not the Hart Trophy winner, as that went to Orr (who had 139 Points). 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

1972 (3):  Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 66 Goals, 67 Assists, 133 Points, +54, 16.7 Point Shares.

The Bruins won the Stanley Cup again, with Esposito having a lot to do with their success.  Orr repeated as the runner-up (117), and he was again the Hart Trophy winner, with Esposito coming in at third.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

1973 (4):  Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 55 Goals, 75 Assists, 130 Points, +17, 13.1 Point Shares. 

Esposito’s 130 Points were 26 more than Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia, his nearest competitor, and he repeated as the runner-up to the Hart, losing to Clarke.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

1974 (5):  Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 68 Goals, 77 Assists, 145 Points, +51, 17.0 Point Shares.

Esposito became the second player to earn five Art Ross Trophies and the second to have four straight wins.  This would be his last Art Ross, and he would also secure his second (and last) Hart Trophy.  Esposito would also have his sixth straight and final First Team All-Star this year.  He would be traded to the New York Rangers in 1975, and he retired after the 1980-81 Season, ending his career with 1,590 Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

1975 (2):  Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, 33 Goals, 87 Assists, 120 Points, +80, 21.5 Point Shares. 

It took Esposito's teammate, Bobby Orr, to break his Art Ross streak, and while it did end Esposito's run, this was the seventh year in a row where a Boston Bruin won the Art Ross.  In between his first and second Art Ross Trophy, Orr won another Stanley Cup, another Conn Smythe Trophy, four Norris Trophies, and two Hart Trophies.  This season, he would win his eighth and final Norris Trophy, and he was already cemented as the greatest Defenseman that ever lived, a mantle he still holds today.  Orr played until 1979 and was fast-tracked into the Hockey Hall that year.  He retired at the age of 30, as back issues forced him out of the game, and Orr would have 915 Points in only 657 career Games. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

1976:  Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 56 Goals, 69 Assists, 125 Points, +89, 13.8 Point Shares.         

For the first time in the 1970s, a non-Boston Bruin won the Art Ross Trophy, and it went back to Montreal with Guy Lafleur, who had six more Points than Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia.  Lafleur, who had a Stanley Cup in 1973, would win his second this year.  He was third in Hart Trophy voting this year.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

1977 (2):  Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 56 Goals, 80 Assists, 136 Points, +89, 15.7 Point Shares. 

Two touchdowns of points ahead of Marcel Dionne, Lafleur again won a Stanley Cup Ring with the Canadiens, this time winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.  The Quebecois superstar also won the Hart Trophy for the first time.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

1978 (3):  Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 60 Goals, 72 Assists, 132 Points, +73, 15.8 Point Shares.  

Lafleur won his third straight Art Ross, his final time winning the coveted award.  This year also was his second and last Hart Trophy win, but it was year four of six straight First Team All-Star selections.  Montreal again won the Stanley Cup and captured another the year after making it four straight.  He played until 1985 and retired.  That would be short-lived, as he returned as a New York Ranger in 1988 and played two more years later with the Quebec Nordiques.  Lafleur would have 1,353 career Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

1979:  Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, 47 Goals, 87 Assists, 134 Points, +76, 13.6 Point Shares. 

It took a dozen years, but Bryan Trottier became the first player from an expansion team to win the Art Ross Trophy.  Trottier beat Marcel Dionne by four Points for the Award, and the Islander would also win the Hart Trophy.  Following this win, Trottier would lead New York to four consecutive Stanley Cups.  Trottier became a two-time First Team and two-time Second Team All-Star, and he later played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, earning two more Stanley Cups.  He retired in 1994 with 1,425 career Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1980:  Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings.  53 Goals, 84 Assists, 137 Points, +34, 13.5 Point Shares. 

Marcel Dionne tied Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers in Points, but Dionne got the nod for the Art Ross over "The Great One ." Dionne became the first King to win this award and was the runner-up for the Hart.  Over his career that spanned from 1971 to 1989, Dionne played for Detroit, L.A., and the New York Rangers, and he would have 1,307 Points. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1981:  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers.  55 Goals, 109 Assists, 164 Points, +41, 14.3 Point Shares.      

Wayne Gretzky tied Marcel Dionne in Points the year before but lost out on the Art Ross due to a goal differential of two.  Gretzky did not have to worry about Dionne, who was second with 135 Points, but that was 29 behind the number of the Edmonton Oiler, who set the new benchmark for Points in a season.  Gretzky would win his second straight Hart Trophy this season.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1982 (2):  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers.  92 Goals, 120 Assists, 212 Points, +80, 19.7 Point Shares. 

Wayne Gretzky broke so many records this year.  First, he shattered his own record with 212 Points, making him the first player to elevate the single-season Points record two years in a row in the Art Ross era.  Second, Gretzky set the single-season Goal mark with 92.  Third, he was the first player to have a 200 Point season.  Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders was the closest competitor with 212 Points.  Gretzky would again win the Hart, his third in a row.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1983 (3):  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 80 Goals, 71 Assists, 196 Points, +61, 18.0 Point Shares.

Gretzky did it again, destroying any competitor for the Art Ross.  His nearest competitor was Peter Stastny, the Nordiques star from Czechoslovakia, who “only” had 124.  Gretzky again won the Hart Trophy, but this time his Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals, a harbinger of what was to come.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1984 (4):  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 87 Goals, 118 Assists, 205 Points, +78, 19.6 Point Shares.

Gretzky again reached the 200 Point threshold, and his teammate, Paul Coffey, at 126 Points, was the closest.  This year the Oilers broke through by winning the Stanley Cup, and Gretzky again captured the Hart Trophy.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1985:  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 87 Goals, 118 Assists, 205 Points, +100, 19.6 Point Shares. 

Gretzky repeated as a Stanley Cup Champion, but he would win the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP this year.  By winning his fifth straight Art Ross Trophy, Gretzky broke the record that Gordie Howe and Phil Esposito shared regarding consecutive Art Ross winners.  Gretzky again destroyed his nearest competitor, Jari Kurri, who was also an Oiler.  Not surprisingly, he won his sixth consecutive Hart Trophy.   

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1986 (6):  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 52 Goals, 163 Assists, 215 Points, +71, 17.0 Point Shares 

It was a bittersweet year for Gretzky as he broke his own mark by three Points, and his 215 Points have set a since unbreakable number.  He won the Hart Trophy again, but in the playoffs, the Oilers were upset in the divisional round, and he did not win a Stanley Cup.  Gretzky was again much further ahead than his nearest rival, but this year it was the up-and-coming Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins who had 141 Points.  This win would also tie Gordie Howe for the most Art Ross Trophies.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1987 (7):  Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 62 Goals, 121 Assists, 183 Points, +69, 17.6 Point Shares. 

The Edmonton Oilers were back on track, and they won their third Stanley Cup in four years, with Gretzky winning the Conn Smythe.  Gretzky set Art Ross Trophy history as he broke Howe's record of six Art Ross trophies, and he did it in seven straight years, also a record.  "The Great One" also secured his eighth consecutive Hart Trophy.  Once again, nobody was near Gretzky, as Jari Kurri, who was second, had 108 Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1988:  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 62 Goals, 121 Assists, 183 Points, +23, 16.2 Point Shares. 

Gretzky had 149 Points this year, but his Art Ross trophy streak ended at seven when Mario Lemieux bet his total by 19.  Lemieux became the first Penguin to win the Art Ross, and this year he also was the first Penguin to win the Hart.  As you will see, Lemieux was just getting started!  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1989 (2):  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 62 Goals, 121 Assists, 183 Points, +41, 19.6 Point Shares.     

Lemieux was one Point shy of 200, and his 199 would be a career-high, as he went back-to-back in Art Ross Trophy wins.  Despite his 199 Points, Gretzky's 168 Points for his new team, Los Angeles, was enough to earn him the Hart. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1990 (8):  Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, 40 Goals, 102 Assists, 142 Points, +8, 11.3 Point Shares.

After two years of not winning the Art Ross, Gretzky returned to the top of the scoring table, but this time it was as a Los Angeles King.  Gretzky, who won the Hart Trophy as a King the year before, finished fourth this year behind Mark Messier, his former teammate who led his former team, Edmonton, to their fifth Stanley Cup.  Messier was second in scoring to Gretzky, 13 behind.  As for Lemieux, he had 129 Points in only 59 Games. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1991 (9):  Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings.  41 Goals, 122 Assists, 163 Points, +30, 14.5 Point Shares

Gretzky went back-to-back again, and he was incredible this season.  While he did not win the Hart, he was 32 Points ahead of the one who did win it (and was second), Brett Hull.  Hull would, however, have 86 Goals, well more than twice as much as Gretzky.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1992 (3):  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 44 Goals, 87 Assists, 131 Points, +27, 12.4 Point Shares. 

Mario Lemieux may have only finished fifth in Hart voting, but he won the scoring title only with 64 Games.  More importantly, he led the Penguins to their second straight Stanley Cup win.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1993 (4):  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins.   69 Goals, 91 Assists, 160 Points, +55, 16.8 Point Shares. 

Lemieux's 160 Points was a dozen more than his nearest competitor, Pat Lafontaine, but Lemieux had his Points in only 60 Games!  Despite only playing 60 Games, what he did was so impressive that the Hart Trophy voters could not help but vote for him.  Lemieux would also win the Bill Masterton Trophy this season.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1994 (10):  Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings.  38 Goals, 92 Assists, 130 Points, -25, 11.1 Point Shares. 

Arguably, his was the end of an era, as this was Gretzky's tenth and last Art Ross Trophy.  Nobody has won this more than the native of Brantford, Ontario, and it is likely that nobody will ever.  Gretzky did not win the Hart, as that went to Sergei Fedorov, who he beat by 10 Points to win Art Ross.  Gretzky never received any Hart votes, but he did have nine, which is more than any other player.  This season also saw Gretzky win his fourth of five Lady Byng Trophies, though notably, his -25 is the worst of any Art Ross winner.  He was an eight-time First Team All-Star and a seven-time Second Team All-Star, and he retired with 2,857 Points, well more than any other player.  As expected, the Hockey Hall relaxed their three-year wait, and he was inducted immediately.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

1996 (5):  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins.  69 Goals, 92 Assists, 161 Points, +10, 17.4 Point Shares.        

Mario Lemieux sat out the entire 1994-95 season due to Hodgkin's lymphoma.  He returned the year after with a vengeance, winning his fifth Art Ross, beating his teammate, Jaromir Jagr, by 12 Points.  Lemieux would win the Hart Trophy for the third and final time.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.

1997 (6):  Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins.  50 Goals, 72 Assists, 122 Points, +27, 14.5 Point Shares.       

This win was the last Art Ross Trophy for Mario Lemieux, and he completed it with three two-year runs.  His 122 Points was his lowest Point win, but he was still 13 Points higher than Teemu Selanne, who was second.  Lemieux retired after this year but came back three years later, but this time as a player/owner, as he bought the team in 1999.  He continued to play until 2006 and retired with 1,723 Points. 

2002:  Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames.  52 Goals, 44 Assists, 96 Points, +27, 14.4 Point Shares. 

This would be the lone Art Ross for Jarome Iginla, and while he never had a 100 Point season, he would not need to in this era.  Iginla played most of his career with the Calgary Flames, and he would have 1,095 career Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

2003:  Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche.  29 Goals, 77 Assists, 106 Points, +52, 13.6 Point Shares.

Peter Forsberg became the first player in Colorado Avalanche franchise history and the first Swedish player to win the Art Ross.  To win the award, he eked out another Swede, Markus Naslund, by two Points.  Forsberg, who had already won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, won the Hart Trophy this season.  Forsberg played until 2011 and retired with 885 Points in 708 Games.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

2004:  Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning.  38 Goals, 56 Assists, 94 Points, +35, 13.2 Point Shares.

After two unremarkable seasons with the Calgary Flames, Martin St. Louis became a surprise star with the Tampa Bay Lightning.  In the 2003-04 Season, Martin St. Louis won the Art Ross and also won the Hart Trophy.  St. Louis also took the Lightning to their first Stanley Cup this season.  He was a First Team All-Star this year and would be a Second Team All-Star four more times. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

2010:  Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks.  52 Goals, 44 Assists, 96 Points, +35, 13.5 Point Shares.

Henrik Sedin was the first Vancouver Canuck to win the Art Ross, which he won by besting both Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin by three Points.  Sedin would also win the Hart Trophy this year, and he was a First Team All-Star this season and the one after.  Sedin played until 2018, all with Vancouver, and he would retire with 1,070 career Points. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

2011:  Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks.  41 Goals, 63 Assists, 104 Points, +30, 14.3 Point Shares. 

There have been players who have won the Art Ross in back-to-back years.  There have been different teammates who have won this accolade in two straight years.  This is the first time, and we think it is likely the only time we will have twins capture the Art Ross in two years.  Like his brother, Henrik, Daniel Sedin played his entire career with the Canucks, but he did not win the Hart like his brother, as he would finish second to Corey Perry.  Sedin played until 2018 and would have 1,041 career Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

2013 (2):  Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning.  17 Goals, 43 Assists, 60 Points, 0+-, 6.3 Point Shares.     

In the strike-shortened 48-game season, Martin St. Louis's 60 Points were the lowest for an Art Ross winner.  St. Louis would only finish ninth in Art Ross voting, but he did win his third Lady Byng this season.  St. Louis played until 2015, with two final years in the New York Rangers.  He retired with 1,033 Points.  

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

The following are the players who have won the Art Ross Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

None.

The following are the players who have won the Art Ross Trophy in the NHL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:

The following are the 

players who have 

won the Art Ros

s Trophy who are still active.

1995:  Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins.   32 Goals, 38 Assists, 70 Points, +23, 12.6 Point Shares. 

This was Jagr's first Art Ross, and he narrowly beat Eric Lindros to get it.  Both stars had 70 Points in this strike-shortened year, but Jagr had three more Goals than Lindros.  Lindros would, however, edge out Jagr for the Hart Trophy.  Jagr was a First Team All-Star for the first time and had already won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh.  Historically, this is the first time a non-Canadian would win the Art Ross.  

50 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

1998 (2):  Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins.  32 Goals, 38 Assists, 70 Points, +17, 12.6 Point Shares.  

Jagr would also lead the NHL in Assists for the first time this season.  The Czech star was a First Team and Second Team All-Star in the two prior years; this year, Peter Forsberg of Colorado was his closest competitor with 91 Points, and he was second to Dominik Hasek of Buffalo for the Hart.  

50 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

1999 (3):  Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins.   44 Goals, 83 Assists, 127 Points,  +25, 14.6 Point Shares. 

Jagr became the second Penguin to win consecutive Art Ross Trophies, besting Teemu Selanne by 20 Points.  Jagr’s 127 Points would be a career-high, and for the first time in his career, he would win the Hart Trophy.  

50 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

2000 (4):  Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins.  42 Goals, 54 Assists, 96 Points, +19, 12.2 Point Shares. 

The Czech star made it three in a row, and for the first time in an entire season in decades, we have an Art Ross Trophy winner under 100 Points.  Jagr narrowly beat Pavel Bure by two Points, though St. Louis Defenseman, Chris Pronger, beat them both for the Hart.  

50 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

2001 (5):  Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins.   52 Goals, 69 Assists, 121 Points, +19, 14.1 Point Shares. 

2000-01 would be Jagr's last Art Ross Trophy, and he joined the four-in-a-row club.  Jagr was third in Hart voting, behind his teammate (and boss), Mario Lemieux, and Joe Sakic, who won the award and was only three Points behind Jagr.  This would be Jagr's last season with the Penguins, as he was traded to the Washington Capitals in the offseason.  Jagr later played for the New York Rangers, Avangard Omsk of the KHL, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Florida, Calgary, and then the Czech League.  In the NHL, Jagr had 1,921 career Points.  

50 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.

2006:  Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins & San Jose Sharks.  52 Goals, 69 Assists, 121 Points, +31, 13.3 Point Shares. 

The Art Ross Trophy winner's year was split between two teams for the first time in history.  In the season prior, Joe Thornton was the Bruins top star, but management questioned his leadership, and the Boston fan base began to turn on him.  Furthermore, Thornton was frustrated with the fate of the Bruins, and he needed a change of scenery, which he got 23 games into this season.  Thornton's Art Ross winning 121 Points, was split with 33 in Boston and 92 in San Jose.  Thornton was only two Points ahead of Jaromir Jagr, who he also edged out for the Hart Trophy this year.   Thornton, who was a First Team All-Star, would go on to have two more Second Team All-Stars.  

43 Years Old, Free Agent.

2007:  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins.  36 Goals, 84 Assists, 120 Points, +10, 13.3 Point Shares 

Sidney Crosby became the third Pittsburgh Penguin to win the Art Ross Trophy, and he did so with a six-Point lead over the previous winner, Joe Thornton.  "Sid, the Kid" was just that, as he was only 19 when the year started, and he was in his second year in the NHL.  Crosby also won the Hart Trophy and was a First Team All-Star for the first time in his career.  Two years later, he would hoist the Stanley Cup.  

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2008:  Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals.  65 Goals, 47 Assists, 112 Points, +28, 17.2 Point Shares.

Ovechkin became the first Washington Capital and the first Russian to win the Art Ross this year.  This was Ovechkin's third season in hockey and his third consecutive First Team All-Star, and it was Ovechkin who defeated Sidney Crosby for the Calder.  Ovechkin also won the Hart Trophy this year.  Since that win, he went to three more First Team All-Stars, won two more Hart Trophies, and led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018. 

37 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2009:  Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins.  35 Goals, 78 Assists, 113 Points, +17, 12.6 Point Shares. 

Malkin's win allowed Russian-born players to go back-to-back in Art Ross wins, and he became the fourth Penguin to win the trophy.  Malkin was only three points ahead of Ovechkin for the Art Ross but was second for the Hart to Ovechkin.  Ovechkin, Crosby, and the Penguins would win the Stanley Cup this season.  

36 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2012 (2):  Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins.  50 Goals, 59 Assists, 109 Points, +18, 15.7 Point Shares. 

This season, Malkin won his second Art Ross, but he would win the Hart Trophy this season.  Malkin would lead the Penguins to win the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cups.  

36 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2014 (2):  Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins.  36 Goals, 68 Assists, 104 Points, +18, 13.5 Point Shares.

In between Crosby's first Art Ross and this one, he won a Stanley Cup and was a Second Team and First Team All-Star.  This season, he was again a First Team All-Star and a Hart Trophy winner.  Crosby and the Penguins would win the Stanley Cup for the next two seasons. 

35 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2015:  Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars.  36 Goals, 68 Assists, 104 Points, +1, 10.7 Point Shares.

Jamie Benn won the Art Ross by only one Point (edging out John Tavares), which was done in a season that bookended First Team All-Stars.  Benn was a Second Team All-Star this year and was only 12^th in Hart Trophy voting, but he was an Art Ross winner.  This would be the first time a Minnesota North Star/Dallas Star player won the Art Ross. 

33 Years Old, Playing for the Dallas Stars.

2016:  Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks.  46 Goals, 60 Assists, 106 Points, +17, 15.0 Point Shares (2016)

Patrick Kane had already won three Stanley Cups with Chicago and was 16 Points ahead of last year's winner, Jamie Benn.  Kane would be a First Team All-Star for the second time, and this season he won the Hart Trophy.  

34 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

2017:  Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  30 Goals, 70 Assists, 100 Points, +27, 12.8 Point Shares. 

Connor McDavid was one of the most highly touted NHL prospects in years, and in his second year, he would win not only the Art Ross but the Hart Trophy as well.  He was 11 Points ahead of Sidney Crosby, who was also second in Hart Trophy voting.  

25 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

2018 (2):  Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  41 Goals, 67 Assists, 108 Points, +20, 13.1 Point Shares. 

McDavid won his second straight Art Ross, this time with a six-point lead over Claude Giroux.  The Oiler was fifth in Hart voting but did win the Lester B. Pearson Award, which was also his second in a row.  

25 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

2019:  Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  41 Goals, 87 Assists, 128 Points, +24, 14.6 Point Shares. 

Connor McDavid could not make it three straight, as he was second, 12 Points behind Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov also won the Hart Trophy, and this was his second consecutive year as a First Team All-Star.  

29 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2020:  Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers.  43 Goals, 67 Assists, 110 Points, -7, 12.8 Point Shares. 

Germany boasted their first Art Ross winner in Leon Draisaitl, who also led the league in Assists and Game-Winning Goals (10).  The Oiler also secured his first First Team All-Star and the Hart and Ted Lindsay Award.  

27 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

2021 (3):  Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  33 Goals, 72 Assists, 105 Points, +21, 13.0 Point Shares. 

McDavid won his third Art Ross, and don't the Oilers love this award?  He also led the NHL in Assists for the second time and captured his second Hart and Ted Lindsay Award.  

25 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

2022 (4):  Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  44 Goals, 79 Assists, 123 Points, +28, 14.0 Point Shares. 

This was the fourth win for McDavid, who did not win the Goal or Assists Title this year.  McDavid did not win the Hart or Ted Lindsay, as they went to Toronto's Auston Matthews.  He also was a Second Team All-Star behind McDavid.

25 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

100 Percent.  It does not get better than that, so the only question is can this stay perfect?