Whether you’re tracking award races or just learning the history, this guide from the hockey viking gives you a complete breakdown of what each trophy means — and why they matter.
NHL awards are like the Oscars of the hockey world. They honor the crème de la crème of the sport, shining a spotlight on players and teams making waves on the ice. These awards remind us why hockey isn’t just a game. It’s a thrilling spectacle of skill, grit, and passion.
The way these awards have evolved tells quite a story. It all started back in the early 20th century, with just a handful of awards recognizing basic achievements. Fast forward to now, and there are a whole bunch of trophies covering everything from the top goalscorer to the most gentlemanly play. This evolution reflects how the game itself has grown and changed over decades, adapting to new styles of play and values.
These awards aren’t just medals to hang on the mantle. They carry major weight in the hockey community, influencing careers and shaping legacies. For players, earning an award means their hard work and talent haven’t gone unnoticed. It’s a nod of respect from their peers and the sport itself.
The NHL is filled with history, tradition, and legendary names — and nowhere is that more apparent than in its massive collection of trophies. Some are awarded to teams, others to individual players, and every single one carries decades of stories and prestige. Whether you’re new to the sport or a longtime fan, understanding each trophy adds depth to the drama of every NHL season.
This comprehensive guide breaks down all NHL trophies, including team championships, player awards, and special honors handed out annually.
TEAM TROPHIES
Stanley Cup
There is no other place to start than the Stanley Cup. It is, truly, the trophy to trump all trophies. The Stanley Cup is the most iconic trophy in all of sports. Awarded to the NHL playoff champion each year, the Cup has been handed out since 1893, making it the oldest existing trophy for a professional sports competition in North America. Unlike most trophies, the Stanley Cup is made to travel — each player from the winning team gets to spend a day with it, a tradition that has led to legendary stories and celebrations. Players’ names are engraved onto the Cup, creating a shared legacy that spans generations.
Presidents’ Trophy
Given to the team that finishes the regular season with the most points, the Presidents’ Trophy is both a badge of dominance and, sometimes, a curse. Since its introduction in 1986, many Presidents’ Trophy winners have failed to win the Stanley Cup, but it still signifies a season of elite excellence and consistency.
Prince of Wales Trophy
Awarded to the Eastern Conference playoff champion, the Prince of Wales Trophy is the final prize between a team and a Stanley Cup Final appearance. Many players avoid touching it due to superstition, believing it should only be lifted once you win the Stanley Cup itself.
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
The Western Conference equivalent to the Prince of Wales Trophy, the Campbell Bowl is awarded to the team that wins the Western Conference Final. Like its counterpart, many players refuse to touch it out of respect for tradition and fear of jinxing the Stanley Cup chase.
INDIVIDUAL TROPHIES
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
The Hart Trophy is awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player during the regular season, as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. It goes to the player judged most valuable to his team — not necessarily the highest scorer. Winning the Hart places a player among the league’s all-time greats.
Art Ross Trophy (Leading Scorer)
The Art Ross Trophy goes to the player who leads the league in points at the end of the regular season. Points are the sum of goals and assists. It often goes to the game’s most electrifying offensive stars, and many of the NHL’s greatest forwards have multiple Art Ross wins.
Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (Leading Goal Scorer)
Named after the legendary Canadiens sniper Maurice Richard, this award goes to the NHL’s top goal scorer each season. It recognizes pure finishing ability and is one of the premier awards for elite shooters.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender)
Voted on by NHL general managers, the Vezina Trophy goes to the league’s top goaltender. Winners often dominate in save percentage, goals-against average, and clutch performances. Many Vezina winners eventually find themselves in the Hall of Fame.
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)
Awarded to the league’s best all-around defenseman, the Norris Trophy highlights players who excel at both ends of the rink. Past winners include legends like Bobby Orr, Nicklas Lidström, and Chris Chelios.
Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
The Calder Trophy is awarded to the NHL’s top rookie. Eligibility rules are strict — players must be under 26 years old and not have played too many games in previous seasons. Winning the Calder often foreshadows a superstar career.
Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)
Given to the NHL’s top defensive forward, the Selke is awarded to players who excel at shutting down opponents while contributing offense. Patrice Bergeron is the benchmark, having won a record number of Selkes.
Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship + Skill)
Awarded to a player who excels at the game while displaying gentlemanly conduct, the Lady Byng Trophy goes to those who combine elite skill with discipline and sportsmanship — typically low penalty minutes with high production.
Ted Lindsay Award (Most Outstanding Player, Voted by Players)
Formerly the Lester B. Pearson Award, the Ted Lindsay Award is selected by the NHL Players’ Association. Because it’s voted on by fellow players, many consider it the most meaningful individual honor.
Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)
Given to the NHL coach who has “contributed the most to his team’s success,” the Jack Adams is often awarded to coaches who lead surprising turnarounds or exceed expectations dramatically.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Perseverance + Dedication)
This trophy recognizes the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, perseverance, and dedication to hockey. Often, it honors players who have overcome adversity, whether injury, illness, or personal challenges.
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership + Community Service)
Awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice while making significant humanitarian contributions.
Mark Messier Leadership Award
Chosen by Mark Messier himself, this award honors leadership both on the ice and within the community. It is one of the few awards not voted on by a committee.
William M. Jennings Trophy (Fewest Goals Allowed)
Awarded to the goaltender(s) who have played at least 25 games for the team that allows the fewest goals during the regular season. It highlights team defense as much as goaltending.
Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP)
Awarded to the most valuable player of the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Conn Smythe is one of the toughest awards to win. It’s based on all rounds, not just the Final. Many winners come from the Stanley Cup champion, though not always.
NHL Plus-Minus Award (Retired but Notable)
While no longer awarded, it was once given to the player with the best plus-minus rating. Though outdated as a statistic, it’s historically important.
SPECIALTY AND POSITIONAL AWARDS
NHL Foundation Player Award (Discontinued in 2017)
Previously awarded for charitable and community involvement, this honor was absorbed into other community-focused initiatives.
General Manager of the Year Award
Voted on by GMs and league executives, this award recognizes the top-performing general manager. It often goes to managers who guide dramatic roster improvements or build championship-caliber teams.
MINOR AND AGE-SPECIFIC TROPHIES (NHL-Affiliated Awards)
Though not awarded directly by NHL teams, the following awards are closely tied to NHL prospects and development pathways:
Calder Cup (AHL Championship)
Not to be confused with the Calder Trophy, the Calder Cup is the championship trophy of the American Hockey League, where many NHL prospects develop.
Memorial Cup (CHL Championship)
The Memorial Cup is one of the most prestigious junior hockey trophies, connected indirectly to the NHL pipeline.
WHY NHL TROPHIES MATTER
NHL trophies aren’t just shiny pieces of hardware. They represent:
Legacies — engraved names and immortalized achievements.
Milestones — from rookies beginning their journey to veterans cementing greatness.
History — the NHL’s story is told through its awards.
Drama — every season builds toward the chase for the Cup and personal accolades.
For fans, understanding the trophies helps you appreciate the stakes. Every hot streak, slump, or injury affects award races. Every victory or loss shapes the journey toward the Stanley Cup. Awards bring structure to the chaos of a long NHL season.
Individual Trophies: Honoring Outstanding Personal Achievements
In the NHL, individual trophies are a big deal, marking personal milestones that players strive for every season. The Hart Memorial Trophy probably rings a bell—awarded to the league’s MVP, it’s basically the golden ticket in hockey circles. The guy who takes this home has proven they’re not just a team player but a game-changer, leading by example on and off the rink.
There’s also the Vezina Trophy, handed out to the best goaltender. It’s like a huge thumbs-up saying, ‘You’ve kept that net solid, buddy!’ For goalies, this award is a career highlight. It celebrates those adrenaline-pumping saves that can turn the tide of a game.
We can’t skip the Norris Trophy, which salutes the top defenseman. The guy snagging this one not only blocks shots but smartly maneuvers the puck, balancing offense and defense with finesse. It’s about the defense that extends beyond stats and really shapes the game flow.
So, who decides who gets these trophies? It’s a mix of votes, mostly from the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, with deep dives into player stats and impacts. The decision-making is thorough, ensuring the award finds its way to the most deserving hands. Critics might chirp, but the integrity of the process aims to reflect true excellence, honoring those who’ve hustled hard each minute on ice.
Team Trophies: Recognizing Group Efforts and Successes
Team spirit takes center stage with trophies like the Stanley Cup, the ultimate prize in the NHL. This one’s all about the grind, the teamwork, and the collective determination it takes to conquer the season. Teams go all out for a shot at this iconic trophy, a symbol of relentless effort and unity on the ice.
The Presidents’ Trophy is also up there, awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. It’s not just about having a few star players; it’s about consistent performance across the board. The trophy highlights a team’s ability to stay sharp and focused over the long haul, game after game.
Winning these team awards isn’t just luck. It takes strategic planning, deep bonds, and players bringing out the best in each other. It’s the result of coaches drawing up genius plays, players laying it all on the line, and everyone contributing to a bigger picture.
So, how do teams clinch these trophies? With the Presidents’ Trophy, it boils down to the points system: win games, earn points, top the leaderboard. The Stanley Cup, on the other hand, demands playoff wins, pushing through grueling rounds to lift the trophy in the end.
Each win builds a legacy, crafting stories and legends around teams that have managed to etch their names in NHL history. It’s the collective triumphs, the shared battles won and lost, that make these achievements resonant and memorable.
The Voting Process: Behind the Decisions
Voting in the NHL awards is more than just tallying points; it’s a structured, thoughtful process ensuring every accolade is earned fair and square. The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) often plays a big role here. They’ve got a wide network that watches players closely all season, bringing in insights from various angles.
Each award usually has its panel or voters, depending on its significance and type. For instance, goaltending awards might have input from those with specific expertise in that area. It’s about bringing in the folks who truly know what top-notch play looks like.
Voting isn’t just about numbers on a scoreboard. It involves evaluating the impact, consistency, and clutch performances of players. Even the stats need a narrative: what’s behind the numbers is just as crucial. Voters dig deep, examining how a player’s presence influences games, elevates team performance, and leaves fans buzzing.
Ensuring transparency and integrity is a big deal. This involves clear guidelines and structured voting processes to avoid unnecessary biases. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of who truly deserves the limelight—making each award feel like it was won with justice and honesty.
The NHL’s trophy system is one of the most comprehensive in all sports. From the historic Stanley Cup to individual honors like the Hart and Vezina, each award tells part of the league’s story. Together, they paint a picture of excellence, determination, skill, and the relentless pursuit of hockey greatness.