NHL Defensemen Trivia (Norris Winners, Scoring Leaders)

Norris Trophy Dominance

Q: Which defenseman has won the most Norris Trophies? A: Bobby Orr with eight consecutive Norris Trophies from 1968 to 1975.

Q: Which Swedish defenseman won seven Norris Trophies with the Detroit Red Wings? A: Nicklas Lidström.

Q: Which Montreal Canadiens defenseman won multiple Norris trophies in the 1950s and 1960s? A: Doug Harvey with seven Norris wins.

Q: Which defenseman won the Norris Trophy with the Montreal Canadiens and later became a fashion and media personality? A: P.K. Subban.

Q: Which defenseman's name is on the Norris Trophy as its namesake? A: James Norris, former owner of the Detroit Red Wings.

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Offensive Records

Q: Who was the first defenseman to score more than 100 points in a season? A: Bobby Orr in 1969-70 with 120 points.

Q: Which defenseman holds the NHL record for points in a single season by a defenseman? A: Bobby Orr with 139 points in 1970-71.

Q: Which defenseman scored 46 goals in a single season, the record for defensemen? A: Paul Coffey in 1985-86.

Q: Which modern defenseman became known for his end-to-end rushes and Norris wins with Ottawa and San Jose? A: Erik Karlsson, who won two Norris Trophies with Ottawa.

Read more: NHL Moneyline Bets Explained

Championship Performers

Q: Which defenseman scored the Cup-winning overtime goal for the Bruins in 1970 while flying through the air? A: Bobby Orr. The iconic image of Orr flying after scoring became hockey's most famous photograph.

Q: Which defenseman won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2000 with the New Jersey Devils? A: Scott Stevens, known for his devastating hits.

Q: Which New York Rangers defenseman won the Conn Smythe and Norris in the 1993-94 season? A: Brian Leetch.

Q: Which defenseman captained the Detroit Red Wings and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2002? A: Nicklas Lidström became the first European captain to win the Conn Smythe.

Q: Which defenseman won the Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022? A: Cale Makar.

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Physical Dominance

Q: Which defenseman is known for his booming slap shot and captaining the Boston Bruins in the 2010s? A: Zdeno Chára, one of the tallest players in NHL history at 6'9".

Q: Which defenseman is often called one of the best "defensive defensemen" ever, anchoring New Jersey in the 1990s? A: Scott Stevens, feared for his open-ice hits.

Q: Which defenseman is known for "The Shift," a legendary long possession shift during the 2013 Final for Boston? A: Zdeno Chára during a crucial defensive stand.

Dynasty Defensemen

Q: Which offensive defenseman played for the Edmonton Oilers dynasty and later the Pittsburgh Penguins, wearing number 77? A: Paul Coffey, who won four Stanley Cups.

Q: Which defenseman was nicknamed "The Big Bird" for his tall, lanky frame and smooth skating in Montreal? A: Larry Robinson, part of Montreal's 1970s dynasty.

Q: Which defenseman anchored Chicago's blue line during three Cup wins and won two Norris Trophies? A: Duncan Keith, who also won the Conn Smythe in 2015.

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Career Achievements

Q: Which defenseman played over 1,600 regular-season games and won his only Cup in his final game with Colorado in 2001? A: Ray Bourque, who spent most of his career with Boston before finally winning with Colorado.

Q: Who is the NHL's all-time leading scorer among defensemen? A: Ray Bourque with 1,579 points.

Q: Which defenseman was the first captain of the Vegas Golden Knights? A: Mark Stone is the current captain, but the first was a group effort. For defensemen specifically, Deryk Engelland wore an "A" in the inaugural season.

Modern Stars

Q: Which defenseman is known for his ankle-breaking moves and highlight-reel rushes with Colorado? A: Cale Makar.

Q: Which defenseman is known for his powerful one-timer on the Washington Capitals' power play beside Alex Ovechkin? A: John Carlson.

Q: Which defenseman was traded from Nashville to Montreal in a blockbuster swap for Shea Weber? A: P.K. Subban in a shocking one-for-one trade.

Q: Which defenseman won the Norris Trophy with Colorado and is known for his offensive creativity? A: Cale Makar.

Q: Which defenseman holds San Jose Sharks scoring records and is known for his offensive versatility? A: Brent Burns, who wore number 88.

Why Defensemen Matter

Great defensemen do everything. They defend rushes, move the puck, quarterback power plays, kill penalties, and play 25+ minutes per game. The difference between elite defensemen and average ones is massive, which is why Norris Trophy winners command huge contracts and define championship windows.

The Evolution of Defense

Modern defensemen skate better, shoot harder, and contribute offensively more than ever before. The position has evolved from stay-at-home bruisers to mobile puck-movers who drive possession. Cale Makar represents the future: elite skating, offensive creativity, and defensive responsibility combined.

Read more: All 32 NHL Teams Ranked by Offense (2025-2026 Season)

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