Hart Trophy: What It Is + Every Winner

History and Significance

The award is named after Dr. David Hart, father of Cecil Hart, a former coach and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. The original Hart Trophy was donated in 1924, and after it was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1960, the current Hart Memorial Trophy was commissioned and has been awarded ever since.

Wayne Gretzky holds the record with nine Hart wins, dominating the 1980s in a way that has never been replicated. Other legendary multi-time winners include Gordie Howe (six wins), Eddie Shore (four wins), Bobby Clarke (three wins), and more recently, Alex Ovechkin (three wins) and Connor McDavid (four wins and counting).

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Criteria and Voting

Voters assess "value to team" rather than pure statistics, which sometimes leads to debate. Should the MVP come from a playoff team, or can a superstar on a last-place roster win? Historically, the Hart has gone to players whose teams made the playoffs, but exceptions exist when a generational talent puts up historic numbers on weak rosters.

Mario Lemieux in the late 1980s and Taylor Hall in 2018 prove that individual brilliance can overcome team mediocrity when the numbers are compelling enough.

Complete List of Hart Trophy Winners (1924-2026)

1920s-1930s: Early Era

1924: Frank Nighbor (Ottawa Senators) The inaugural Hart winner, Nighbor was a two-way center known for his defensive prowess and sportsmanship.

1925: Billy Burch (Hamilton Tigers) Burch led Hamilton to first place before the infamous player strike ended their season.

1926: Nels Stewart (Montreal Maroons) "Old Poison" scored 34 goals in 36 games during his rookie season, winning both Hart and scoring title.

1927: Herb Gardiner (Montreal Canadiens) At 35 years old, Gardiner remains one of the oldest first-time Hart winners.

1928: Howie Morenz (Montreal Canadiens) The first of three Hart wins for the "Stratford Streak," hockey's first true superstar.

1929: Roy Worters (New York Americans) One of the rare goaltenders to win the Hart, standing just 5'3" but playing giant in net.

1930: Nels Stewart (Montreal Maroons) Stewart's second Hart came as he led the Maroons in scoring again.

1931: Howie Morenz (Montreal Canadiens) Morenz's second Hart solidified his status as the league's dominant player.

1932: Howie Morenz (Montreal Canadiens) Three Hart trophies in five years cemented Morenz's legendary status before his tragic death in 1937.

1933: Eddie Shore (Boston Bruins) The first of four Hart wins for the toughest, most feared defenseman of his era.

1934: Aurel Joliat (Montreal Canadiens) The diminutive left winger was Morenz's linemate and a star in his own right.

1935: Eddie Shore (Boston Bruins) Shore's second Hart came during Boston's dominant run in the mid-1930s.

1936: Eddie Shore (Boston Bruins) Three Hart trophies in four years showcased Shore's sustained excellence.

1937: Babe Siebert (Montreal Canadiens) Siebert transitioned from forward to defense and won the Hart in his first season as a blue liner.

1938: Eddie Shore (Boston Bruins) Shore's fourth and final Hart tied him with Morenz for most wins at that point.

1939: Toe Blake (Montreal Canadiens) Blake led the Canadiens in scoring en route to the Stanley Cup.

Read more: All 32 NHL Teams Ranked for the 2025-2026 Season

1940s-1950s: Expansion of Talent

1940: Ebbie Goodfellow (Detroit Red Wings) Goodfellow won playing defense after spending most of his career as a forward.

1941: Bill Cowley (Boston Bruins) Cowley's playmaking ability made him one of the era's elite centers.

1942: Tom Anderson (New York Americans) Anderson won the Hart on the Americans' final season before the franchise folded.

1943: Bill Cowley (Boston Bruins) Cowley's second Hart came as he led the league in assists.

1944: Babe Pratt (Toronto Maple Leafs) Pratt was an offensive defenseman ahead of his time, leading Toronto's blue line.

1945: Elmer Lach (Montreal Canadiens) Lach centered the famous "Punch Line" with Maurice Richard and Toe Blake.

1946: Max Bentley (Chicago Black Hawks) "The Dipsy Doodle Dandy from Delisle" won with spectacular stickhandling skills.

1947: Maurice Richard (Montreal Canadiens) "The Rocket" finally won the Hart after years of dominance, becoming the first player to score 50 goals.

1948: Buddy O'Connor (New York Rangers) O'Connor won both the Hart and Lady Byng in the same season.

1949: Sid Abel (Detroit Red Wings) Abel centered the famous "Production Line" with Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay.

1950: Chuck Rayner (New York Rangers) One of the rare Hart-winning goalies, Rayner carried a weak Rangers team to the Finals.

1951: Milt Schmidt (Boston Bruins) Schmidt's two-way play and leadership earned him the Hart at age 33.

1952: Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings) The first of six Hart trophies for "Mr. Hockey," beginning his decade of dominance.

1953: Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings) Howe's second consecutive Hart came with another scoring title.

1954: Al Rollins (Chicago Black Hawks) Rollins won despite Chicago finishing last, a rare Hart to a non-playoff team's player.

1955: Ted Kennedy (Toronto Maple Leafs) "Teeder" won for leadership and two-way play that drove Toronto's success.

1956: Jean Béliveau (Montreal Canadiens) The elegant center's first Hart came during Montreal's dynasty years.

1957: Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings) Howe's third Hart came with another Art Ross Trophy.

1958: Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings) Four Hart trophies in seven years showcased sustained excellence.

1959: Andy Bathgate (New York Rangers) Bathgate's Hart came despite the Rangers missing the playoffs, recognizing individual brilliance.

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1960s: Modernization

1960: Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings) Howe's fifth Hart extended his dominance into a third decade.

1961: Bernie Geoffrion (Montreal Canadiens) "Boom Boom" won with 50 goals, only the second player ever to reach that mark.

1962: Jacques Plante (Montreal Canadiens) The innovative goaltender won the Hart while revolutionizing the position with his mask.

1963: Gordie Howe (Detroit Red Wings) Howe's sixth and final Hart came at age 35, proving his enduring excellence.

1964: Jean Béliveau (Montreal Canadiens) Béliveau's second Hart recognized his leadership during another Canadiens championship.

1965: Bobby Hull (Chicago Black Hawks) The "Golden Jet" won his first Hart with 39 goals and spectacular skating.

1966: Bobby Hull (Chicago Black Hawks) Hull's second consecutive Hart came with 54 goals, a new single-season record.

1967: Stan Mikita (Chicago Black Hawks) Mikita won the Hart, Art Ross, and Lady Byng in the same season.

1968: Stan Mikita (Chicago Black Hawks) Back-to-back Hart wins as Mikita dominated with skill rather than just power.

1969: Phil Esposito (Boston Bruins) Esposito's 126 points shattered records and began his reign as the league's top scorer.

1970s: Expansion Era Stars

1970: Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins) Orr revolutionized the defenseman position, scoring 120 points from the blue line.

1971: Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins) Orr's second consecutive Hart came with another record-breaking offensive season.

1972: Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins) Three straight Hart trophies as Orr redefined what defensemen could accomplish.

1973: Bobby Clarke (Philadelphia Flyers) Clarke's two-way excellence and leadership drove the Broad Street Bullies' rise.

1974: Phil Esposito (Boston Bruins) Esposito's second Hart came with 145 points, still among the highest totals ever.

1975: Bobby Clarke (Philadelphia Flyers) Clarke's second Hart coincided with Philadelphia's first Stanley Cup.

1976: Bobby Clarke (Philadelphia Flyers) Three Hart trophies in four years as Clarke led Philly to back-to-back Cups.

1977: Guy Lafleur (Montreal Canadiens) "The Flower" began his Hart run during Montreal's dynasty years.

1978: Guy Lafleur (Montreal Canadiens) Lafleur's second consecutive Hart came with spectacular offensive displays.

1979: Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders) Trottier's complete game earned the Hart before the Islanders' dynasty began.

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1980s: The Gretzky Era

1980: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) The first of nine Hart trophies, beginning an unprecedented run of dominance.

1981: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) Gretzky's 164 points in his second season started rewriting the record books.

1982: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) The 92-goal, 212-point season that remains hockey's most untouchable record.

1983: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) Four consecutive Hart trophies as Gretzky's dominance continued unabated.

1984: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) Gretzky won his first Stanley Cup alongside his fifth Hart.

1985: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) Six Hart trophies in six seasons cemented Gretzky as hockey's greatest player.

1986: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) Seven consecutive Hart wins extended the streak no one will ever match.

1987: Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers) Eight straight Hart trophies completed the most dominant individual run in NHL history.

1988: Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) Lemieux finally broke Gretzky's streak with 168 points and a scoring title.

1989: Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) Gretzky's ninth and final Hart came in his first season after the trade to LA.

1990s: New Superstars

1990: Mark Messier (Edmonton Oilers) Messier won carrying the Oilers after Gretzky's departure.

1991: Brett Hull (St. Louis Blues) Hull's 86-goal season earned the Hart for pure goal-scoring dominance.

1992: Mark Messier (New York Rangers) Messier's second Hart came guaranteeing and delivering the Rangers' Cup.

1993: Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) Lemieux's heroic return from cancer treatment to win the scoring title earned his second Hart.

1994: Sergei Fedorov (Detroit Red Wings) Fedorov's two-way excellence made him the first Russian-trained Hart winner.

1995: Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers) The "Next One" delivered on promise with a dominant physical and skilled season.

1996: Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) Lemieux's third Hart came after another comeback, this time from back surgery.

1997: Dominik Hašek (Buffalo Sabres) Hašek's acrobatic brilliance earned a rare goalie Hart despite Buffalo's mediocre roster.

1998: Dominik Hašek (Buffalo Sabres) Back-to-back Hart wins for the "Dominator" showcased goaltending excellence.

1999: Jaromír Jágr (Pittsburgh Penguins) Jágr's Art Ross-winning season finally earned him the Hart after years as a finalist.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

2000s: International Dominance

2000: Chris Pronger (St. Louis Blues) Pronger's dominant two-way play made him a rare defenseman Hart winner.

2001: Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) "Super Joe" led Colorado to the Stanley Cup with clutch playoff performances.

2002: Jose Theodore (Montreal Canadiens) Theodore's surprise Hart came with a career year in net for Montreal.

2003: Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) When healthy, Forsberg was unstoppable, earning his only Hart.

2004: Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning) The undersized dynamo led Tampa to the Cup with spectacular offensive production.

2005: (Lockout, no winner)

2006: Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks) Thornton's trade from Boston sparked both teams, earning him the Hart.

2007: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) Crosby's first Hart at age 19 signaled the arrival of hockey's next great player.

2008: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) Ovechkin's 65-goal season began his Hart trophy collection.

2009: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) Back-to-back Hart wins as Ovechkin dominated with goal-scoring and physicality.

2010s: Modern Stars

2010: Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks) Sedin's playmaking brilliance led Vancouver to the Presidents' Trophy.

2011: Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) Perry's 50-goal season earned him the Hart and Rocket Richard Trophy.

2012: Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) Malkin's dominant season carrying Pittsburgh without Crosby for half the year.

2013: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) Ovechkin's third Hart came with another Rocket Richard Trophy.

2014: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) Crosby's second Hart recognized his return to elite form after injury struggles.

2015: Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) Price's historic season made him only the second goalie to win Hart, Vezina, and Jennings in the same year.

2016: Patrick Kane (Chicago Black Hawks) Kane's Art Ross-winning season made him the first American-born Hart winner since Brian Leetch.

2017: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) McDavid's first Hart at age 20 began what might become Gretzky-level dominance.

2018: Taylor Hall (New Jersey Devils) Hall dragged New Jersey to the playoffs, proving MVP value on a weak roster.

2019: Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) Kucherov's 128 points led the league and Tampa to the Presidents' Trophy.

2020s: New Era

2020: Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) Draisaitl's Art Ross-winning season broke through McDavid's dominance.

2021: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) McDavid's second Hart came with another scoring title.

2022: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) Matthews' 60-goal season earned him his first Hart Trophy.

2023: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) McDavid's third Hart came with 153 points, the most since Lemieux.

2024: Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) MacKinnon's complete season driving Colorado's offense earned his first Hart.

2025: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) McDavid's fourth Hart at age 28 puts him on pace to challenge Gretzky's record.

2026: [Current season; update when announced]

Notable Trends and Records

• Most wins: Wayne Gretzky (9)
• Most consecutive: Gretzky (8 straight, 1980-87)
• Goalies who've won: Roy Worters, Chuck Rayner, Al Rollins, Jacques Plante, Dominik Hašek (twice), Jose Theodore, Carey Price
• Defensemen winners: Eddie Shore (4), Bobby Orr (3), Chris Pronger (1)
• Youngest winner: Sidney Crosby (19 years old, 2007)

The Hart Trophy's Lasting Impact

The Hart Trophy remains the ultimate individual honor in hockey, recognizing the player who combines elite skill with irreplaceable value to his team's success. From Howie Morenz's early dominance to Gretzky's unprecedented run to today's battle between McDavid, Matthews and MacKinnon, the Hart captures each era's defining superstar and continues to spark passionate debate about what "most valuable" truly means.

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