The Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Hockey League (CHL) trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the annual Memorial Cup tournament. The trophy was first awarded in 1972 and won by Richard Brodeur of the Cornwall Royals. Taylor Hall won the award in 2009 and 2010 with the Windsor Spitfires making him the first repeat winner in the trophy's history. Through the 2024 season, it has been won 22 times by players on a team representing the Western Hockey League (WHL), 15 by those from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and 14 by players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
The Kamloops Blazers franchise has had the most MVPs at six: three as members of the Blazers, and three when the franchise was known as the New Westminster Bruins. The Cornwall Royals had three MVPs. Nine players have won the Smythe Trophy despite their team failing to win the Memorial Cup: Sam Steel (2018), Dylan Strome (2017), Leon Draisaitl (2015), Danny Groulx (2002), Chris Madden (1998), Cameron Mann (1996), Sean McKenna (1982), Bart Hunter (1979), and Barry Smith (1975).
The trophy is named in honour of Stafford Smythe, the son of Conn Smythe. Stafford was part of a group that purchased controlling interest in the National Hockey League's (NHL) Toronto Maple Leafs in 1961, and served as the president of the Toronto franchise and Maple Leaf Gardens for many years. The Smythe family donated the trophy to the CHL in 1972, shortly after his death.
Winners Tournament Winner Team1972 Richard Brodeur Cornwall Royals1973 Mark Howe Toronto Marlboros1974 Greg Joly Regina Pats1975 Barry Smith New Westminster Bruins1976 Dale McCourt Hamilton Fincups1977 Barry Beck New Westminster Bruins1978 Stan Smyl New Westminster Bruins1979 Bart Hunter Brandon Wheat Kings1980 Dave Ezard Cornwall Royals1981 Dale Hawerchuk Cornwall Royals1982 Sean McKenna Sherbrooke Castors1983 Alfie Turcotte Portland Winter Hawks1984 Adam Creighton Ottawa 67's1985 Dan Hodgson Prince Albert Raiders1986 Steve Chiasson Guelph Platers1987 Wayne McBean Medicine Hat Tigers1988 Rob DiMaio Medicine Hat Tigers1989 Dan Lambert Swift Current Broncos1990 Iain Fraser Oshawa Generals1991 Pat Falloon Spokane Chiefs1992 Scott Niedermayer Kamloops Blazers1993 Ralph Intranuovo Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds1994 Darcy Tucker Kamloops Blazers1995 Shane Doan Kamloops Blazers1996 Cameron Mann Peterborough Petes1997 Christian Dubé Hull Olympiques1998 Chris Madden Guelph Storm1999 Nick Boynton Ottawa 67's2000 Brad Richards Rimouski Océanic2001 Kyle Wanvig Red Deer Rebels2002 Danny Groulx Victoriaville Tigres2003 Derek Roy Kitchener Rangers2004 Kelly Guard Kelowna Rockets2005 Corey Perry London Knights2006 Alexander Radulov Quebec Remparts2007 Milan Lucic Vancouver Giants2008 Dustin Tokarski Spokane Chiefs2009 Taylor Hall Windsor Spitfires2010 Taylor Hall Windsor Spitfires2011 Jonathan Huberdeau Saint John Sea Dogs2012 Michael Chaput Shawinigan Cataractes2013 Nathan MacKinnon Halifax Mooseheads2014 Edgars Kulda Edmonton Oil Kings2015 Leon Draisaitl Kelowna Rockets2016 Mitch Marner London Knights2017 Dylan Strome Erie Otters2018 Sam Steel Regina Pats2019 Joël Teasdale Rouyn-Noranda Huskies2020 Event cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic – trophy not awarded2021 Event cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic – trophy not awarded2022 William Dufour Saint John Sea Dogs2023 James Malatesta Quebec Remparts2024 Owen Beck Saginaw Spirit2025 Easton Cowan London Knights2026 Sam O'Reilly Kitchener Rangers
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See also List of Canadian Hockey League awards
References
External links History – Awards – Mastercard Memorial Cup