Conn Smythe winners by player: Who has the most NHL playoff MVP awards in history?

Joe Rivera

Conn Smythe winners by player: Who has the most NHL playoff MVP awards in history? image

It's only fitting that "roi" is French for "king."

That's because Hall of Famer Patrick Roy — spelling not withstanding — is the only player in NHL history to earn three Conn Smythe awards in his trophy room.

MORE: History of the Conn Smythe trophy

It's hard enough to make it to multiple Stanley Cup finals, and it's even tougher for players to win multiple Conn Smythe awards. With the Stanley Cup Final MVP award handed out to players since 1965, six players have won multiple, while only Roy stands — rather, sprawls — above the rest with three.

To take it a step further, regular season production is hardly an indicator of postseason success. Only three players in NHL history have won the Hart Trophy and the Conn Smythe trophy in the same year: Bobby Orr in 1970, Guy Lafleur in 1977 and some dude named Wayne Gretzky in 1985.

Here's how the honor has been awarded to hockey's most clutch performers over the years:

Who has won the most Conn Smythe awards?

Only one player in NHL history has earned three Conn Smythe awards: Goaltender Patrick Roy, who won two while a member of the Montreal Canadiens, and a third in 2001 with the Colorado Avalanche.

Several players are tied with two Conn Smythe victories:

PlayerTeamYears
Sidney CrosbyPittsburgh Penguins2017, 2016
Mario LemieuxPittsburgh Penguins1991, 1992
Wayne GretzkyEdmonton Oilers1984, 1988
Bernie ParentPhiladelphia Flyers1974, 1975
Bobby OrrBoston Bruins1970, 1972

Conn Smythe winners

The only year the Conn Smythe was not awarded since 1965 was in 2005 when the season was cancelled due to the NHL lockout.

YearPlayerTeamPosition
2021Andrei VasilevskiyTampa Bay LightningG
2020Victor HedmanTampa Bay LightningD
2019Ryan O'ReillySt. Louis BluesC
2018Alex OvechkinWashington CapitalsLW
2017Sidney CrosbyPittsburgh PenguinsC
2016Sidney CrosbyPittsburgh PenguinsC
2015Duncan KeithChicago BlackhawksD
2014Justin WilliamsLos Angeles KingsRW
2013Patrick KaneChicago BlackhawksRW
2012Jonathan QuickLos Angeles KingsG
2011Tim ThomasBoston BruinsG
2010Jonathan ToewsChicago BlackhawksC
2009Evgeni MalkinPittsburgh PenguinsC
2008Henrik ZetterbergDetroit Red WingsC
2007Scott NiedermayerAnaheim DucksD
2006Cam WardCarolina HurricanesG
2005N/A*N/A*N/A
2004Brad RichardsTampa Bay LightningC
2003Jean-Sebastien GiguereMighty Ducks of AnaheimG
2002Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red WingsD
2001Patrick RoyColorado AvalancheG
2000Scott StevensNew Jersey DevilsD
1999Joe NieuwendykDallas StarsC
1998Steve YzermanDetroit Red WingsC
1997Mike VernonDetroit Red WingsG
1996Joe SakicColorado AvalancheC
1995Claude LemieuxNew Jersey DevilsRW
1994Brian LeetchNew York RangersD
1993Patrick RoyMontreal CanadiensG
1992Mario LemieuxPittsburgh PenguinsC
1991Mario LemieuxPittsburgh PenguinsC
1990Bill RanfordEdmonton OilersG
1989Al MacInnisCalgary FlamesD
1988Wayne GretzkyEdmonton OilersC
1987Ron HextallPhiladelphia FlyersG
1986Patrick RoyMontreal CanadiensG
1985Wayne GretzkyEdmonton OilersC
1984Mark MessierEdmonton OilersC
1983Billy SmithNew York IslandersG
1982Mike BossyNew York IslandersRW
1981Butch GoringNew York IslandersC
1980Bryan TrottierNew York IslandersC
1979Bob GaineyMontreal CanadiensLW
1978Larry RobinsonMontreal CanadiensD
1977Guy LafleurMontreal CanadiensRW
1976Reggie LeachPhiladelphia FlyersRW
1975Bernie ParentPhiladelphia FlyersG
1974Bernie ParentPhiladelphia FlyersG
1973Yvan CournoyerMontreal CanadiensRW
1972Bobby OrrBoston BruinsD
1971Ken DrydenMontreal CanadiensG
1970Bobby OrrBoston BruinsD
1969Serge SavardMontreal CanadiensD
1968Glenn HallSt. Louis BluesG
1967Dave KeonToronto Maple LeafsC
1966Roger CrozierDetroit Red WingsG
1965Jean BeliveauMontreal CanadiensC

By position: 

  • 19 centers
  • 17 goalies
  • 11 defensemen
  • Nine wingers 

Joe Rivera