The trophy was named for the late Conn Smythe (1895-1980), a Hockey Hall of Fame builder and owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The first ever trophy was won by Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens for his performance in the 1965 Stanley Cup playoffs. Since then, Patrick Roy has won it 3 times, more than any other player in history and Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, and Bernie Parent have each won it twice.
Conn Smythe Trophy winners 2003 - Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim ++ 2002 - Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings 2001 - Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche (3) 2000 - Scott Stevens, New Jersey Devils 1999 - Joe Nieuwendyk, Dallas Stars 1998 - Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings 1997 - Mike Vernon, Detroit Red Wings 1996 - Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche 1995 - Claude Lemieux, New Jersey Devils 1994 - Brian Leetch, New York Rangers 1993 - Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens (2) 1992 - Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins (2) 1991 - Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins 1990 - Bill Ranford, Edmonton Oilers 1989 - Al MacInnis, Calgary Flames 1988 - Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (2) 1987 - Ron Hextall, Philadelphia Flyers ++ 1986 - Patrick Roy, Montreal Canadiens 1985 - Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers 1984 - Mark Messier, Edmonton Oilers 1983 - Bill Smith, New York Islanders 1982 - Mike Bossy, New York Islanders 1981 - Butch Goring, New York Islanders 1980 - Brian Trottier, New York Islanders 1979 - Bob Gainey, Montreal Canadiens 1978 - Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens 1977 - Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens 1976 - Reggie Leach, Philadelphia Flyers ++ 1975 - Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers (2) 1974 - Bernie Parent, Philadelphia Flyers 1973 - Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal Canadiens 1972 - Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins (2) 1971 - Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens 1970 - Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins 1969 - Serge Savard, Montreal Canadiens 1968 - Glenn Hall, St. Louis Blues ++ 1967 - Dave Keon, Toronto Maple Leafs 1966 - Roger Crozier, Detroit Red Wings ++ 1965 - Jean Beliveau, Montreal Canadiens (#) indicates multiple winner ++ indicates player from losing team