Art Ross Trophy

Art Ross Trophy
Name	Art Ross Trophy
Awarded for	Player who leads the National Hockey League in points at the end of the regular season
Presenter	National Hockey League
Winner	Connor McDavid
Year	2023–24
Holder label	Most recent
Holder	Connor McDavid

Art Ross Trophy. It is awarded annually to the player who leads the National Hockey League in total points scored during the regular season. The trophy was donated by former player and longtime Boston Bruins executive Art Ross, and it was first presented at the conclusion of the 1947–48 NHL season. The award is one of the most prestigious individual honors in professional hockey, recognizing the league's most prolific scorer.

History

The trophy was donated by Hall of Fame defenseman and executive Art Ross, who had a storied career with the Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, and later as general manager of the Boston Bruins. It was first awarded following the 1947–48 NHL season to Elmer Lach of the Montreal Canadiens. The creation of the award formalized the recognition for the league's scoring champion, a title that had been informally tracked since the league's early days with winners like Joe Malone and Howie Morenz. Over the decades, it has been closely associated with the sport's greatest offensive talents, from Gordie Howe and Phil Esposito to Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Winners

The list of winners includes many of the most iconic players in NHL history. The first recipient was Elmer Lach, who edged out teammate Maurice Richard for the title. In subsequent years, stars like Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings and Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks claimed the honor multiple times. The 1980s were dominated by Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers, who won it ten times in eleven seasons. More recent winners include Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.

Selection process

The recipient is determined solely by the highest point total (the sum of goals and assists) at the conclusion of the NHL regular season. The NHL officially tracks and verifies all statistics. In the event of a tie, the award goes to the player with the most goals; if still tied, it goes to the player with fewer games played, and if a tie remains, to the player who scored his first goal of the season earliest. This process is administered by the NHL Commissioner's office.

Multiple winners

Several players have won the award on multiple occasions, underscoring their sustained offensive dominance. Wayne Gretzky holds the record with ten wins, followed by Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux with six each. Phil Esposito and Jaromir Jagr each won it five times, while Stan Mikita and Connor McDavid have each claimed it four times. Other notable multiple winners include Guy Lafleur, Bobby Orr, and Sidney Crosby.

Trophy design

The physical trophy is a large silver bowl mounted on a sturdy base. It was designed by Henry Birks & Sons, a prominent Canadian jeweler. The bowl is adorned with intricate engraving, including the Stanley Cup and images representing the Original Six teams. The base features plaques engraved with the name of every winner since its inception. The trophy's design is distinct from other NHL awards like the Hart Memorial Trophy or the Vezina Trophy.

Records and statistics

Wayne Gretzky holds the most significant records, including most wins (10), most consecutive wins (8 from 1980–81 to 1987–88), and the highest single-season point total of 215 set during the 1985–86 NHL season. The highest point total in the modern era belongs to Connor McDavid, who scored 153 points in the 2022–23 NHL season. The award has been won by players from numerous franchises, with the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins producing the most winners due to the eras of Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby.

Category:National Hockey League trophies and awards Category:1948 establishments in Canada