National Hockey League (NHL) 1996 - 97 Season Review

National Hockey League (NHL) Information
National Hockey League (NHL) Directory
National Hockey League (NHL) Awards
National Hockey League (NHL) Records
National Hockey League (NHL) Champions (Stanley Cup)
National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft
National Hockey League (NHL) All Star Game and Events
National Hockey League (NHL) Year by Year
National Hockey League (NHL) Player Information
National Hockey League (NHL) Coaches Information
National Hockey League (NHL) Major Rule Changes
National Hockey League (NHL) Expansion History
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees

The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position. The trophy is named in honour of James E. Norris, owner of the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings from 1932 to 1952. The trophy was first awarded at the conclusion of the 1953–54 NHL season. At the end of each season, members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote to determine the player who was the best defenseman during the regular season. Full List of Previous Winners

James Norris Memorial Trophy - Brian Leetch - New York Rangers

Selected by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, the NHL's Regular Season MVP (Most Valuable Player) is awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy. The voting is conducted at the end of the regular season by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, and each individual voter ranks their top five candidates on a 10-7-5-3-1 points system. Originally known as the Hart Trophy, it was first awarded at the conclusion of the 1923–24 NHL season. The Hart Memorial Trophy is named in honour of Canadian Dr. David Hart, who donated the original trophy to the NHL. The original "Hart Trophy" was retired in Hockey Hall of Fame in 1960, and the NHL began presenting a new trophy, which was named the "Hart Memorial Trophy" in its place. Full List of Previous Winners

Hart Memorial Trophy - Dominik Hasek - Buffalo Sabres

The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season. The Art Ross Trophy was presented to the National Hockey League in 1947 by Arthur Howie "Art" Ross, former general manager and head coach of the Boston Bruins. Full List of Previous Winners

Art Ross Trophy - Mario Lemieux - Pittsburgh Penguins

The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual ice hockey award given to the goalkeeper(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it in regular-season play. The Jennings Trophy was donated by the NHL's board of governors and first presented at the conclusion of the 1981–82 season. It is named in honor of the late William M. Jennings, who was a longtime governor and president of the New York Rangers. Until the 1980–81 season, the Vezina Trophy was awarded to the goaltender(s) of the team allowing the fewest number of goals during the regular season. It was recognized that this system often meant the trophy went to the goaltender of the better team rather than the individual and hence the change was made to offer the Vezina to the most outstanding goaltender, as voted by the NHL General Managers. The William M. Jennings Trophy was created as a replacement and is awarded to the goaltender(s) playing for the team with the fewest goals against. Full List of Previous Winners

William M. Jennings Trophy - Martin Brodeur - New Jersey Devils
William M. Jennings Trophy - Mike Dunham - New Jersey Devils

The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season. The trophy was first awarded at the end of the 1977–78 NHL season. It was named after Frank J. Selke, former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. Full List of Previous Winners

Frank J. Selke Trophy - Michael Peca - Buffalo Sabres

The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League. The trophy is named in honor of Frank Calder, the former President of the National Hockey League from its inception in 1917 to his death in 1943. Although Rookie of the Year honors were handed out beginning in 1932–33, the Calder Trophy was first presented at the conclusion of the 1936–37 NHL season. After Calder's death in 1942 the trophy was re-named the Calder Memorial Trophy. The voting is conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the conclusion of each regular season to determine the winner. To be eligible for the award, a player cannot have played any more than 25 games previously in any single season, nor have played in more than six games in each of two separate preceding seasons in any major professional league. Full List of Previous Winners

Calder Memorial Trophy - Bryan Berard - New York Islanders

The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is judged to be the best at this position. The Vezina Trophy was named in honor of Georges Vézina, an exceptional goaltender with the Montreal Canadiens. At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team during the regular season. Before 1981, it was awarded to the goaltender(s) of the team allowing the fewest number of goals during the regular season; now, the William M. Jennings Trophy is awarded under that definition. Full List of Previous Winners

Vezina Trophy - Dominik Hasek - Buffalo Sabres

The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. The voting is conducted at the end of the season by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The trophy is named in honour of Marie Evelyn Moreton (Lady Byng), wife of Viscount Byng of Vimy, a Vimy Ridge war hero who was Governor General of Canada from 1921 to 1926. Lady Byng, who was an avid hockey fan, decided to donate the trophy to the NHL in 1925. Full List of Previous Winners

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - Paul Kariya - Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The trophy is named in honour of the late Bill Masterton, a Minnesota North Stars player who died on January 15, 1968, after sustaining an injury during a hockey game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one player in competition. It is often awarded to a player who has come back from career- or even life-threatening illness or injury. A player can win this trophy only once in his career. Full List of Previous Winners

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy - Tony Granato - San Jose Sharks

The Lester B. Pearson Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players Association. The award was first handed out at the conclusion of the 1971–72 NHL season. It is named in honour of Lester B. Pearson, who was Prime Minister of Canada from 1963 to 1968. The voting for the trophy is conducted at the end of the regular season by the members of the NHL Players Association. Full List of Previous Winners

Lester B. Pearson Award - Dominik Hasek - Buffalo Sabres

The NHL Plus-Minus Award is a trophy awarded annually by the National Hockey League to the player, having played a minimum of 60 games who leads the league in plus/minus statistics. The plus/minus statistic was first established during the 1967–68 NHL season. This statistic reflects a player's ability to contribute offensively and defensively. The award was first given in the 1983 season. From 1982–83 to 1987–88, it was known as the Emery Edge Award. During 1988–89, there was no formal name for the trophy. From 1989–90 to 1995–96, it was known as the Alka-Seltzer Plus Award. From 1996–97 to 1997–98, it was known as the Bud Ice Plus-Minus Award. Finally, from 1998–99 to the present, it has been known as the Bud Light Plus-Minus Award. Full List of Previous Winners

Plus-Minus Award - John LeClair - Philadelphia Flyers

NHL All-Star Second Team - Martin Brodeur - G - New Jersey Devils
NHL All-Star Second Team - Chris Chelios - D - Chicago Blackhawks
NHL All-Star Second Team - Wayne Gretzky - C - New York Rangers
NHL All-Star Second Team - Jaromir Jagr - R - Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL All-Star Second Team - John LeClair - L - Philadelphia Flyers
NHL All-Star Second Team - Scott Stevens - D - New Jersey Devils