The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to "the player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season."
History: Arthur Howie Ross, former manager-coach of the Boston Bruins, presented the trophy to the National Hockey League in 1947. If two players finish the schedule with the same number of points, the trophy is awarded in the following manner:
1. Player with the most goals.
2. Player with fewer games played.
3. Player scoring first goal of the season.
A point can be achieved if a player either scores a goal, or has assisted in scoring a goal for his team.
1996-1997 Winner: Mario Lemieux
The Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded to "the player adjudged to be most valuable to his team." Winners are selected in a poll among sportswriters and broadcasters in each of the 26 NHL cities.
History: The Hart Memorial Trophy was presented by the National Hockey League in 1960 after the original Hart Trophy was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The original Hart Trophy was donated to the NHL in 1923 by Dr. David A. Hart, father of Cecil Hart, former manager-coach of the Montreal Canadiens.
1996-1997 Winner: Dominik Hasek
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is awarded to "the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability." The winner is selected in a poll among sportswriters and broadcasters in each of the 26 NHL cities.
History: Lady Byng, wife of Canada's Governor-General at the time, presented the Lady Byng Trophy in 1925. After Frank Boucher of New York Rangers won the award seven times in eight seasons, he was given the trophy to keep and Lady Byng donated another trophy in 1936. After Lady Byng's death in 1949, the National Hockey League presented a new trophy, changing the name to Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
1996-1997 Winner: Paul Kariya
The Vezina Trophy is awarded to "the goalkeeper(s) having played a minimum 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it."
History: Leo Dandurand, Louis Letourneau and Joe Cattarinich, former owners of the Montreal Canadiens, presented the trophy to the National Hockey League in 1926-1927 in memory of George Vezina, outstanding goalkeeper of the Canadiens who collapsed during an NHL game, November 28th, 1925, and died of tuberculosis a few months later.
1996-1997 Winner: Dominik Hasek
The Conn Smythe Award is awarded to "the most valuable player for his team in the entire playoffs." The winner is selected by the League Governors at the conclusion of the final game in the Stanley Cup Finals.
History: Presented by Maple Leaf Gardens Limited in 1964 to honor Conn Smythe, former coach, manager, president and owner-governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
1996-1997 Winner: Mike Vernon
The Lester B. Pearson Award is awarded to the player who was voted "outstanding player" by the NHL players themselves.
1996-1997 Winner: Dominik Hasek
The Calder Memorial Trophy is awarded to "the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The winner is selected in a poll among sportswriters and broadcasters in each of the 26 NHL cities.
History: From 1936-1937 and until his death in 1943, Frank Calder, NHL President, bought a trophy each year to be given permanently to the outstanding rookie. After Calder's death, the NHL presented the Calder Memorial Trophy in his memory and the trophy is to be kept in perpetuity. To be eligible for the award, a player cannot have played more than 20 games in any single preceding season nor in six or more games in any two preceding seasons.
1996-1997 Winner: Bryan Berard
The Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded to "the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in that position." The winner is selected in a poll among sportswriters and broadcasters in each of the 26 NHL cities.
History: The Norris Memorial Trophy was presented in 1953 by the four children of the late James Norris in memory of the former owner-president of the Detroit Red Wings.
1996-1997 Winner: Brian Leetch
