National Hockey League Awards

Stanley Cup: The Stanley Cup, the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in North America, was donated by Frederick Arthur, Lord Stanley of Preston and son of the Earl of Derby, in 1893. Lord Stanley purchased the trophy for 10 guineas ($50 at the time) for presentaion to the amateur hockey champions of Canada. Since 1910, when the National Hockey Association took possession of the Stanley Cup, the trophy has been the symbol of professional hockey supremacy. It has been competed for only by NHL teams since 1926-27 and has been under the exclusive control of the NHL since 1947.
Presidents' Trophy: An annual award to the club finishing the regular-season with the best overall record.
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Presented by the member clubs in 1968 for perpetual competition by the National Hockey League in recognition of the services of Clarence S. Campbell, President of the NHL from 1946 to 1977. From 1967-68 through 1973-74, the trophy was awarded to the regular-season champions of the West Division. Beginning in 1974-75, it was awarded to the regular-season winner of the conference bearing the name of the trophy. From 1981-82 to 1992-93, the trophy was presented to the playoff champion in the Campbell Conference. Since 1993-94, the trophy has been presented to the playoff champion in the Western Conference.
Prince of Wales Trophy: His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, donated the trophy to the National Hockey League in 1924. From 1927-28 through 1937-38, the award was presented to the team finishing first in the American Division of the NHL. From 1938-39, when the NHL reverted to one section, to 1966-67, it was presented to the team winning the NHL regular-season championship. With expansion in 1967-68, it again became a divisional trophy, awarded to the regular-season champions of the East Division through the end of the 1973-74 season. Beginning in 1974-75, it was awarded to the regular-season winner of the conference bearing the name of the trophy. From 1981-82 to 1992-93, the trophy was presented to the playoff champion in the Wales Conference. Since 1993-94, the trophy has been presented to the playoff champion in the Eastern Conference.
O'Brien Trophy: Originally the championship trophy of the National Hockey Association, the trophy was taken over by the National Hockey League and awarded to the league champions. Upon the donation of the Prince of Wales Trophy to the NHL in the early 1920's, a decision was made by the league executive to retire the O'Brien Trophy. However in 1928, the O'Brien Trophy officially was awarded to the Canadian team with the most points. The significance of the O'Brien Trophy was again altered in 1939, when it became the award handed out to the losing Stanley Cup finalist. The trophy was officially retired by the NHL at the end of the 1949-50 season.
Art Ross Trophy: An annual award "to the player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season." The winner receives $10,000 and the runners-up $6,000 and $4,000.
Hart Memorial Trophy: An annual award "to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team." Winner selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association in the 30 NHL cities at the end of the regular schedule. The winner receives $10,000 and the runners-up $6,000 and $4,000.
James Norris Trophy: An annual award "to the defense player who most demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position." Winner selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular schedule. The winner receives $10,000 and the runners-up $6,000 and $4,000.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: An annual award "to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability." Winner selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular schedule. The winner receives $10,000 and the runners-up $6,000 and $4,000.
Calder Memorial Trophy: An annual award "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." Winner selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular schedule. The winner receives $10,000 and the runners-up $6,000 and $4,000.
Conn Smythe Trophy: An annual award "to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs." Winner selected by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the conclusion of the final game in the Stanley Cup Finals. The winner receives $10,000.
Vezina Trophy: An annual award "to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position" as voted by the general managers of each of the 30 clubs. Over-all winner receives $10,000, runners-up $6,000 and $4,000.
William M. Jennings Trophy: An annual award "to the goalkeeper(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it." Winners selected on regular-season play. Overall winner receives $10,000, runners-up $6,000 and $4,000.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: An annual award under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association to "the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." Winner selected by a poll among the 30 chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season. A $2,500 grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, MN, in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner.
King Clancy Memorial Trophy: An annual award "to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."
Jack Adams Award: An annual award presented by the National Hockey League Broadcasters' Association to "the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." Winner selected by a poll among members of the NHL Broadcasters' Assocation at the end of the regular season. The winner receives $1,000 from the NHLBA.
Frank J. Selke Trophy: An annual award "to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game." Winner selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular schedule. The winner receives $10,000 and the runners-up $6,000 and $4,000.
Lester B. Pearson Award: An annual award persented to the NHL's outstanding player as selected by the members of the National Hockey League Players' Association. The winner receives $20,000, and the two finalists receive $10,000 each to donate to the grassroots hockey program of their choice, through the NHLPA's Goals & Dreams Fund.
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: An annual award "presented to the player finishing the regular season as the League's goal-scoring leader."
All-Star Game MVP: The All-Star MVP award is given to the player chosen by the media to have been most valuable to his team during the All-Star Game.
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award: An award "presented to the goaltender having played a minimum of 25 games with the NHL's best save percentage during the regular season." The winner receives $25,000 to be donated to the youth hockey or educational program of his choice.
NHL Plus-Minus Award: An annual award "to the player, having played a minimum of 60 games, who leads the League in plus/minus statistics" at the end of the regular season. Currently known as the "Bud Light Plus-Minus Award," it was first awarded as the "Emery Edge Award" in 1983. It had no formal name in 1989 before becoming the "Alka-Seltzer Plus Award" until 1996. In 1997 and 1998 it was known as the "Bud Light Plus-Minus Award" before taking its current name.
Mark Messier Leadership Award: First awarded in 2007, the Mark Messier Leadership Award is awarded based upon a player's leadership qualities on and off the ice. Messier, in co-operation with the NHL, selects each winner.
NHLFA Best Bang for the Buck Award: An annual award to the NHL's outstanding player with a salary below the league average. Winner selected in a poll by the National Hockey League Fans' Association.
NHLFA Most Valuable Player Award: An annual award to the NHL player most valuable to his team. Winner selected in a poll by the National Hockey League Fans' Association.
NHLFA Best Role Model Award: An annual award to the NHL player who best exemplifies the characteristics of a role model. Winner selected in a poll by the National Hockey League Fans' Association.