Who was the first winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965?

Jean Beliveau was the first winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1965.

Beliveau won the inaugural playoff Most Valuable Player award as captain and centre of the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal defeated the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1965 Stanley Cup Final, winning the series in seven games. The award was introduced to recognize the player judged most valuable throughout the playoffs, rather than the regular season.

The trophy was created in 1964 and named for Conn Smythe, the former Toronto Maple Leafs owner, general manager, coach, and Hockey Hall of Fame builder. Its design includes a silver replica of Maple Leaf Gardens, the Toronto arena built during Smythe’s ownership.

A common mix-up is confusing Beliveau’s award with the Hart Memorial Trophy, which recognizes regular-season value, or with the Stanley Cup itself, which Montreal won in 1965. Beliveau was also an exceptional regular-season player: he won the Hart Trophy twice and the Art Ross Trophy once during his career.