The Gruen Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, formerly given to the most outstanding Canadian rookie in the East Division. The award, sponsored by the Gruen Watch Co. and inaugurated in 1946,"Gruen Trophy Goes to Bernie Brennan", Ottawa Citizen, February 20, 1947 was discontinued and the trophy retired in 1973, as the CFL chose to award the Schenley Award to the best rookie, regardless of nationality.
Prior to 1959, rookie players who were Canadian and had played only junior or high school football were eligible. This was changed to include university athletes when future Hall-of-Famer Russ Jackson, a graduate of McMaster University, began his career but did not win the award.Kinsella's Corner, Rookie of the Year isn't eligible to win (Jack Kinsella) Ottawa Citizen – November 5, 1958
Winners
1972 – Bob Richardson (OL), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1971 – Jim Foley (SB), Montreal Alouettes 1970 – Jim Corrigall (DL), Toronto Argonauts 1969 – Al Phaneuf (DB), Montreal Alouettes 1968 – Dave Knechtel (DL), Toronto Argonauts 1967 – Wayne Giardino (LB), Ottawa Rough Riders 1966 – Mike Wadsworth (DL), Toronto Argonauts 1965 – Terry Evanshen (WR), Montreal Alouettes 1964 – Al Irwin (WR), Montreal Alouettes 1963 – Rick Black (P/FB), Ottawa Rough Riders 1962 – Whit Tucker (WR), Ottawa Rough Riders 1961 – Gino Berretta (OE/P), Montreal Alouettes 1960 – Bill Mitchell (G/LB), Toronto Argonauts 1959 – Joe Poirier (DB), Ottawa Rough Riders 1958 – Ron Brewer (LB), Toronto Argonauts 1957 – Gary W.C. Williams (HB), Toronto Argonauts 1956 – Tommy Grant (RB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1955 – Ed Mularchyk (E), Ottawa Rough Riders 1954 – Ron Howell (WR), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1953 – Bob Dawson (RB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1952 – John Fedosoff (RB), Toronto Argonauts 1951 – Bruno Bitkowski (C/DE) Ottawa Rough Riders 1950 – Bob McDonald (RB), Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1949 – Jim Loreno (HB), Hamilton Wildcats 1948 – Keith English (E), Montreal Alouettes 1947 – Nelson Greene (FB), Ottawa Rough Riders 1946 – Bernie Brennan (HB), Ottawa Rough Riders
Notes
References Hamilton Tiger-Cats website Canadian Football Hall of Fame website