What NHL trophy is awarded to the regular-season most valuable player?

The Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded to the NHL’s regular-season most valuable player.

More precisely, the Hart recognizes the player judged most valuable to his team during the regular season. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association vote for the winner, making it distinct from awards based strictly on statistics or goaltending performance.

The trophy was donated to the NHL in 1923 by David Hart, whose son Cecil Hart later became a prominent Montreal Canadiens coach and general manager. Frank Nighbor was the first winner, receiving the award for the 1923–24 season. It was originally known simply as the Hart Trophy.

The Hart is often confused with the Art Ross Trophy, which goes to the regular-season points leader, or the Vezina Trophy, which honors the league’s top goaltender. “Most valuable” is also not identical to “best overall player”: the award’s formal wording emphasizes value to the player’s own team.