Which NHL player holds the record for the most career Hart Trophy wins?

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record for the most career Hart Trophy wins, with nine.

The Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team during the regular season. Gretzky won it eight times as an Edmonton Oiler and once as a Los Angeles King. His victories came between 1980 and 1989, including an unprecedented run of eight consecutive awards from 1980 through 1987.

Gretzky’s nine Hart Trophies are one of the clearest measures of his regular-season dominance. He also won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring leader 10 times, although the two awards recognize different achievements.

The Hart is sometimes confused with the Conn Smythe Trophy, which honors the most valuable player during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Gretzky won the Conn Smythe Trophy twice, in 1985 and 1988.