The Stanley Cup Final starts on Wednesday and very soon, one team will be given hockey's most prestigious award.
But there's another piece of hardware that will be given out and that's the Conn Smythe Trophy.
The honor is given to the player deemed to be the most valuable to their team during the postseason. Like many awards in hockey, there is history behind the award and its name.
Conn Smythe was a prominent figure in the Toronto organization and the trophy was introduced in 1964 in his honor. Since then, the award has been given out 53 times to 46 different players.
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So who exactly is Conn Smythe? Here is a look behind the name of the Luke Jackson Jersey NHL's playoff MVP trophy
Who is Conn Smythe?Conn Smythe was Eddie Rosario Jersey a former coach, general manager and owner of the Maple Leafs in the early stages of the club.
Smythe started as a coach at the University of Toronto and had applied to be the Toronto St. Pats coach in 1926, but did not get the job. He continued to coach at the university level before becoming a part owner of the Toronto organization in 1927. He was a part of the group that renamed the club to the Maple Leafs.
During the first four seasons with the franchise, Smythe was the general manager, team governor and even coached the team as well. He would continue to have multiple roles until the 1931-32 season when he hired Art Duncan as the coach, only to fire him five games into the season and replace him with Dick Irvin.
Smythe was instrumental in moving the Maple Leafs into a new facility, which came to be the Maple Leafs Gardens. He was also at the helm of the organization in the 1940s and 50s Austin Riley Jersey , holding the position of majority owner of the team in addition to remaining as team governor. Eventually in 1962, he would step down from his role as governor and would sell his remaining shares in Maple Leafs Gardens in 1966.
In total, Smythe was around for eight Stanley Cup wins for the Toronto franchise: 1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951 and 1962.
What is the Conn Smythe Trophy?The NHL gives out the Conn Smythe Trophy at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final to the player that is determined to be "the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs."
This trophy is different from other major profe sional leagues like the NFL, NBA or MLB. While their MVP is specifically for either the Super Bowl, Finals or Ronald Acuna Jr. Jersey World Series, the NHL takes into consideration the entirety of the playoffs when determining the winner of the Conn Smythe.
Conn Smythe Trophy Winners2021:Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning2020:Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning2019:Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis Blues2018:Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals2017:Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins2016:Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins2015:Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks2014:Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings2013:Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks2012:Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings2011: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins2010:Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks2009:Evgeni Malkin,Pittsburgh Penguins2008: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings2007: Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks2006:Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes2004: Brad Richards, Tampa Bay Lightning2003: Jean-Sebastien Giguere*, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim2002: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings2001: Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche2000: Scott Stevens, New Jersey Devils1999: Joe Nieuwendyk, Dallas Stars1998: Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings1997: Mike Vernon, Detroit Red Wings1996: Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche1995: Claude Lemieux, New Jersey Jose Ramirez Jersey Devils1994: Brian Leetch, New York Rangers1993: Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens1992: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins1991: Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins1990: Bill Ranford, Edmonton Oilers1989: Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames1988: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers1987: Ron Hextall*, Philadelphia Flyers1986: Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens1985: Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers1984: Mark Me sier, Edmonton Oilers1983: Billy Smith, New York Islanders1982: Mike Bo sy, New York Islanders1981: Butch Goring, New York Islanders1980: Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders1979: Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadiens1978: Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens1977: Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens1976: Reggie Leach*, Philadelphia Flyers1975: Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers1974: Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers1973: Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal Canadiens1972: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins1971: Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens1970: Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins1969: Serge Savard, Montreal Canadiens1968: Glenn Hall*, St. Louis Blues1967: Dave Keon, Toronto Maple Leafs1966: Roger Crozier*, Detroit Red Wings1965: Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens* Player was a member of Julio Teheran Jersey the losing team in the Stanley Cup Final.
