What trophy is awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup playoffs?

The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The award recognizes the player judged to have performed best for his team throughout the entire postseason. It is not limited to the final game or even only the Stanley Cup Final. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association vote after the Final, and the NHL Commissioner presents the trophy before the Stanley Cup presentation.

The Conn Smythe Trophy was first awarded in 1965, when Montreal Canadiens centre Jean Béliveau became its inaugural winner. It was named for Conn Smythe, the longtime Toronto Maple Leafs owner, general manager and coach. The trophy’s design includes a silver replica of Maple Leaf Gardens, the Toronto arena associated with Smythe.

The award is often confused with other NHL trophies. The Hart Memorial Trophy honors the regular-season MVP, the Norris Trophy goes to the top defenseman, and the Vezina Trophy recognizes the league’s best goaltender. The Conn Smythe is specifically a playoff award. Although a player from the losing finalist has occasionally won it, every recipient through 2024 had played for a team that reached the Stanley Cup Final.