 | |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Most Valuable player at the Memorial Cup |
| History | |
| First award | 1972 |
| Most wins | Taylor Hall (2) |
| Most recent | Owen Beck |
The Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Hockey League (CHL) trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the annual Memorial Cup tournament. The trophy was first awarded in 1972 and won by Richard Brodeur of the Cornwall Royals.[1] Taylor Hall won the award in 2009 and 2010 with the Windsor Spitfires making him the first repeat winner in the trophy's history.[2] Through the 2024 season, it has been won 22 times by players on a team representing the Western Hockey League (WHL), 15 by those from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and 14 by players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
The Kamloops Blazers franchise has had the most MVPs at six: three as members of the Blazers, and three when the franchise was known as the New Westminster Bruins. The Cornwall Royals had three MVPs. Eight players have won the Smythe Trophy despite their team failing to win the Memorial Cup: Sam Steel (2018), Leon Draisaitl (2015), Danny Groulx (2002), Chris Madden (1998), Cameron Mann (1996), Sean McKenna (1982), Bart Hunter (1979), and Barry Smith (1975).
The trophy is named in honour of Stafford Smythe, the son of Conn Smythe. Stafford was part of a group that purchased controlling interest in the National Hockey League's (NHL) Toronto Maple Leafs in 1961,[3] and served as the president of the Toronto franchise and Maple Leaf Gardens for many years.[4] The Smythe family donated the trophy to the CHL in 1972, shortly after his death.[5]
- ^ "Richard Brodeur player profile". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
- ^ Parker, Jim (May 24, 2010). "Hall eliminates any doubt of star quality". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
- ^ "Harold Ballard – True blue... and white!". Toronto Marlboros hockey club. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
- ^ "Gardens stock dispute". Ottawa Citizen. January 5, 1972. p. 34. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
- ^ "Junior hockey gets Smythe Trophy". Lawrence Journal-World. March 23, 1972. p. 15. Retrieved May 24, 2010.