Conn Smythe Trophy Winners: The Complete List

The Conn Smythe Trophy represents the ultimate recognition of playoff excellence in the NHL, awarded to the most valuable player throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. Since its introduction in 1965, the trophy has honored the extraordinary performances that define hockey’s most intense and grueling competition. From Jean Beliveau’s inaugural win to Connor McDavid’s recent triumph, each Conn Smythe winner exemplifies the resilience, skill, and leadership required to excel when the stakes are highest. Through dominant goaltending performances, defensive masterclasses, and offensive explosions, these players have etched their names into Stanley Cup lore.

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2024 – Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid was tabbed the most valuable player of the NHL playoffs, despite his team losing the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers. McDavid led all players with 42 points—8 goals and 34 assists—in 25 postseason games, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for most assists in a single playoff year.

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2023 – Jonathan Marchessault
The Vegas Golden Knights forward led all players with 13 goals in 22 playoff games while adding 12 assists. Marchessault particularly dominated in the Final against Florida, recording eight points in five games to help secure Vegas’s first Stanley Cup.

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2022 – Cale Makar
The Colorado Avalanche defenseman became just the third defenseman to win both the Norris and Conn Smythe in the same season. Makar recorded 29 points (8G, 21A) in 20 playoff games while playing elite defense and leading Colorado to their first Cup since 2001.

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2021 – Andrei Vasilevskiy
The Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender posted a stellar .937 save percentage and five shutouts during the playoffs. Vasilevskiy saved his best for last, recording shutouts in all four series-clinching games, including the Cup-winning Game 5 against Montreal.

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2020 – Victor Hedman
The Swedish defenseman anchored Tampa Bay’s blue line while contributing 10 goals and 22 points in 25 playoff games during the bubble playoffs. Hedman played a remarkable 26:28 per game while handling the toughest defensive assignments throughout the Lightning’s run.

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2019 – Ryan O’Reilly
The St. Louis Blues center tied a franchise record by scoring in four straight Stanley Cup Final games against Boston. O’Reilly finished with 23 points (8G, 15A) in 26 games while playing exceptional two-way hockey and winning 60% of his faceoffs.

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2018 – Alex Ovechkin
Washington’s captain finally reached the pinnacle, leading all playoff scorers with 15 goals while adding 12 assists in 24 games. Ovechkin’s physical dominance and leadership were on full display as he helped the Capitals win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

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2017 – Sidney Crosby
The Penguins superstar became the first player to win back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophies since Mario Lemieux (1991-92). Crosby recorded 27 points (8G, 19A) in 24 games while dominating in all facets of the game despite facing relentless defensive attention.

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2016 – Sidney Crosby
Despite not leading the team in scoring, Crosby’s two-way excellence and leadership were crucial in Pittsburgh’s championship run. He recorded 19 points and controlled play whenever he was on the ice, particularly in the Final against San Jose.

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2015 – Duncan Keith
The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman logged an astounding 715:37 of ice time over 23 playoff games, the most ever recorded in a single postseason. Keith contributed 21 points (3G, 18A) while playing shutdown defense and scored the Cup-winning goal in Game 6 against Tampa Bay.

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2014 – Justin Williams
“Mr. Game 7” lived up to his nickname, scoring 25 points (9G, 16A) in 26 games for the Los Angeles Kings. Williams was particularly clutch in elimination games, recording 11 points in seven such contests during the Kings’ run.

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2013 – Patrick Kane
The dynamic winger became the third straight American-born player to win the Conn Smythe. Kane led the playoffs with 19 points (9G, 10A) in 23 games, including a hat trick in the Western Conference clincher against Los Angeles.

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2012 – Jonathan Quick
The Kings goaltender posted a remarkable 1.41 GAA and .946 save percentage while starting all 20 playoff games. Quick allowed just seven goals in six Finals games against New Jersey, cementing one of the greatest goaltending performances in playoff history.

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2011 – Tim Thomas
The Bruins netminder set a record with 798 saves in a single playoff run while posting a .940 save percentage. Thomas was especially brilliant in the Final against Vancouver, allowing just eight goals in seven games.

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2010 – Jonathan Toews
Chicago’s captain became the second-youngest player to win the award at age 22. Toews recorded 29 points (7G, 22A) in 22 games while playing exceptional two-way hockey during the Blackhawks’ first Cup win since 1961.

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2009 – Evgeni Malkin
The Russian center led all playoff scorers with 36 points (14G, 22A) in 24 games. Malkin’s dominant performance included multiple highlight-reel goals and a crucial three-point effort in Game 6 of the Final against Detroit.

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2008 – Henrik Zetterberg
Detroit’s two-way star recorded 27 points (13G, 14A) while shadowing Sidney Crosby throughout the Final. Zetterberg’s defensive excellence was just as impressive as his offense, as he helped hold Crosby to just three points in six Finals games.

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2007 – Scott Niedermayer
The Ducks captain became the first player to win the Conn Smythe while captaining a California-based team. Niedermayer controlled play from the blue line with 11 points while averaging over 29 minutes per game during Anaheim’s Cup run.

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2006 – Cam Ward
The rookie goaltender took over the starting job in Game 3 of the first round and never looked back. Ward posted a 2.14 GAA and .920 save percentage while becoming the first rookie goalie to win the award since Patrick Roy in 1986.

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2005 – No Winner
The Stanley Cup Playoffs were canceled in 2005 due to the NHL lockout.

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2004 – Brad Richards
The Lightning center led all playoff scorers with 26 points (12G, 14A) in 23 games. Richards set an NHL record with seven game-winning goals during the playoff run, including crucial winners in Games 2 and 6 of the Final against Calgary.

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2003 – Jean-Sébastien Giguère
Despite losing in the Final, the Mighty Ducks goaltender became just the fifth player to win the award from a losing team. Giguere posted a remarkable .945 save percentage and led Anaheim on an improbable run that included a record 168:27 shutout streak.

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2002 – Nicklas Lidström
The Red Wings defenseman became the first European-born and trained player to win the award. Lidstrom recorded 16 points while playing an astounding 31:10 per game during Detroit’s run to the Cup.

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2001 – Patrick Roy
The Avalanche goaltender won his third Conn Smythe while posting a 1.70 GAA and .934 save percentage. Roy was particularly brilliant in the Final against New Jersey, allowing just seven goals in the last six games of the series.

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2000 – Scott Stevens
The Devils captain terrorized opponents with his physical play while anchoring New Jersey’s suffocating defense. Stevens’ most memorable moment came when he changed the course of the Final with a devastating hit on Eric Lindros in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

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1999 – Joe Nieuwendyk
The Stars center scored 11 goals despite playing with a torn ACL during the playoffs. Nieuwendyk’s six game-winning goals tied a playoff record, including crucial winners in both Games 1 and 2 of the Final against Buffalo.

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1998 – Steve Yzerman
Detroit’s captain played through a severe knee injury while recording 24 points (6G, 18A) in 22 games. Yzerman’s leadership and two-way excellence helped the Red Wings capture their second straight Cup.

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1997 – Mike Vernon
The Red Wings goaltender posted a 1.76 GAA and .927 save percentage in 20 playoff games. Vernon was particularly brilliant in the Final against Philadelphia, holding the Legion of Doom line to just three goals in four games.

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1996 – Joe Sakic
Colorado’s captain led all playoff scorers with 34 points (18G, 16A) in 22 games during the Avalanche’s first season in Denver. Sakic set a record with six game-winning goals, including three in overtime.

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1995 – Claude Lemieux
The controversial Devils winger scored 13 goals in 20 playoff games, including a franchise-record three game-winners. Lemieux’s physical play and timely scoring epitomized New Jersey’s suffocating neutral zone trap system.

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1994 – Brian Leetch
The Rangers defenseman became the first American-born player to win playoff MVP. Leetch recorded 34 points (11G, 23A) in 23 games, including a goal in the Cup-clinching Game 7 against Vancouver.

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1993 – Patrick Roy
Montreal’s goaltender led the Canadiens to an NHL record 10 consecutive overtime victories during their unexpected Cup run. Roy posted a .929 save percentage and was particularly brilliant in the Final against Los Angeles, frustrating Wayne Gretzky and the Kings’ high-powered offense.

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1992 – Mario Lemieux
Despite playing with a broken hand, Super Mario recorded 34 points (16G, 18A) in just 15 games. Lemieux dominated the Final against Chicago with 12 points in a four-game sweep.

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1991 – Mario Lemieux
The Penguins superstar recorded 44 points (16G, 28A) in just 23 games while battling through a severe back injury. Lemieux’s performance included a memorable five-point game in the Cup clincher against Minnesota.

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1990 – Bill Ranford
The Oilers goaltender emerged from Grant Fuhr’s shadow to post a 2.53 GAA and .912 save percentage in 22 games. Ranford made several spectacular saves in Game 5 of the Final against Boston to clinch Edmonton’s fifth Cup in seven years.

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1989 – Al MacInnis
The Flames defenseman recorded 31 points (7G, 24A) in 22 games while playing over 30 minutes per night. MacInnis’s booming slapshot terrorized opposing goalies throughout Calgary’s run to their first Stanley Cup.

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1988 – Wayne Gretzky
The Great One saved his best for last in his final playoffs with Edmonton, recording 43 points (12G, 31A) in just 19 games. Gretzky was particularly dominant in the Final against Boston, recording 13 points in a four-game sweep.

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1987 – Ron Hextall
Despite losing in the Final, the Flyers rookie goaltender became just the fourth player to win the award from the losing team. Hextall posted a .908 save percentage and even scored a goal during Philadelphia’s improbable run.

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1986 – Patrick Roy
The rookie goaltender led Montreal to their 23rd Stanley Cup at just 20 years old. Roy posted a 1.92 GAA during the playoffs, including 15 straight wins to close out the championship run.

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1985 – Wayne Gretzky
The Oilers captain set playoff records with 47 points and 30 assists in just 18 games. Gretzky recorded at least one point in every playoff game, including a dominant seven-point performance in Game 5 of the Final against Philadelphia.

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1984 – Mark Messier
The Oilers forward recorded 26 points (8G, 18A) in 19 games while providing physical dominance. Messier’s leadership and two-way excellence helped Edmonton win their first Stanley Cup.

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1983 – Billy Smith
The Islanders goaltender posted a 2.68 GAA while starting all 20 playoff games during New York’s fourth straight Cup win. Smith frustrated the high-powered Oilers offense in the Final, allowing just six goals in the four-game sweep.

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1982 – Mike Bossy
The prolific scorer recorded 27 points (17G, 10A) in 19 games during the Islanders’ third straight Cup victory. Bossy scored seven goals in the Final against Vancouver, including the Cup-winning goal.

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1981 – Butch Goring
The Islanders center recorded 20 points (10G, 10A) in 18 games while playing stellar defensive hockey. Goring’s two-way excellence helped New York capture their second straight Cup.

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1980 – Bryan Trottier
The Islanders superstar recorded 29 points (12G, 17A) in just 16 playoff games. Trottier dominated the Final against Philadelphia with 11 points in six games, helping New York win their first Cup.

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1979 – Bob Gainey
The Canadiens defensive specialist shut down opposing stars throughout Montreal’s fourth straight Cup run. Gainey added unexpected offense with 16 points (6G, 10A) while playing his trademark defensive game.

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1978 – Larry Robinson
The Canadiens defenseman recorded 21 points while playing dominant defensive hockey during Montreal’s third straight Cup win. Robinson averaged over 30 minutes per game while shutting down opposing stars throughout the playoffs.

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1977 – Guy Lafleur
The Flower recorded 26 points (9G, 17A) in 14 games during Montreal’s second straight Cup victory. Lafleur scored in every Final game against Boston, including the Cup-clinching goal.

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1976 – Reggie Leach
Despite playing for the losing Flyers, Leach won the award after scoring a record 19 goals in 16 playoff games. The Riverton Rifle became the first player to win the award from a losing finalist in the expansion era.

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1975 – Bernie Parent
The Flyers goaltender posted a 1.89 GAA and four shutouts during Philadelphia’s second straight Cup run. Parent was particularly brilliant in the Final against Buffalo, allowing just 12 goals in six games.

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1974 – Bernie Parent
The Flyers netminder posted a 2.02 GAA and 12 wins during Philadelphia’s first Stanley Cup championship. Parent’s performance included a shutout in Game 6 of the Final against Boston to clinch the Cup.

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1973 – Yvan Cournoyer
The Roadrunner recorded 25 points (15G, 10A) in 17 playoff games for the champion Canadiens. Cournoyer scored crucial goals throughout Montreal’s run, including two game-winners in the Final against Chicago.

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1972 – Bobby Orr
The Bruins superstar recorded 24 points (5G, 19A) in 15 playoff games while playing his revolutionary offensive defenseman style. Orr controlled play whenever he was on the ice, helping Boston capture their second Cup in three years.

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1971 – Ken Dryden
The rookie goaltender took over late in the season and led Montreal to an improbable Cup victory. Dryden posted a .929 save percentage and particularly frustrated the heavily-favored Bruins in a first-round upset.

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1970 – Bobby Orr
Number 4 recorded 20 points (9G, 11A) in 14 playoff games while revolutionizing the defenseman position. Orr scored the iconic Cup-winning goal in overtime against St. Louis, flying through the air after being tripped.

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1969 – Serge Savard
The Canadiens defenseman played shutdown hockey while adding 10 points during Montreal’s run. Savard’s defensive excellence helped limit opponents to just 2.15 goals per game during the playoffs.

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1968 – Glenn Hall
Despite playing for the losing Blues, Mr. Goalie won the award with a remarkable .916 save percentage. Hall was particularly brilliant in defeat during the Final against Montreal.

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1967 – Dave Keon
The Maple Leafs center recorded 12 points (8G, 4A) during Toronto’s surprising Cup run in the final year of the Original Six era. Keon’s two-way excellence helped the aging Leafs upset the heavily favored Canadiens in the semifinals.

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1966 – Roger Crozier
The Red Wings goaltender became the first player to win the award despite losing in the Final. Crozier posted a 2.17 GAA and was brilliant throughout Detroit’s run despite falling to Montreal.

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1965 – Jean Béliveau
Le Gros Bill recorded 16 points (8G, 8A) in 13 games during Montreal’s first Cup win of the expansion era. Beliveau’s leadership and clutch scoring helped establish the award that would come to bear his name.

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The Conn Smythe Trophy winners form an elite fraternity of players who elevated their game when it mattered most. From the six players who won despite their teams falling short in the Final, to the multiple winners like Patrick Roy and Mario Lemieux, each recipient’s story adds to the rich tapestry of Stanley Cup playoff history. These performances under pressure – whether Patrick Kane’s American breakthrough, Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s miraculous run, or Bobby Orr’s iconic flight through the air – remind us why the Stanley Cup playoffs represent hockey at its absolute finest. As each spring brings new opportunities for playoff heroics, we wait to see which player will rise above all others to join this prestigious list of Conn Smythe Trophy winners.

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 7th, 2025 at 5:36 pm and is filed under NHL History. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.