James Norris Memorial Trophy
Annual NHL award for the league's top defenseman.
The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top defenseman, as determined by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Named for longtime Detroit Red Wings owner James E. Norris, it recognizes the player who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position during the regular season. The trophy has been presented 62 times to 26 players since its inception in 1953–54.
Quick Facts
- Sport
- Ice hockey
- First
- 1953–54 NHL season
Facts from the source article.
History
The trophy honors James E. Norris, who owned the Detroit Red Wings from 1932 to 1952. It was first awarded after the 1953–54 NHL season. Doug Harvey and Nicklas Lidstrom each won seven times, while Ray Bourque won five and finished among the top three vote-getters on ten additional occasions. The Boston Bruins have produced the most Norris Trophy winners with 14, followed by the Montreal Canadiens with 12.
No defenseman has won the Hart Trophy without also winning the Norris since the latter was introduced. Six defensemen won the Hart before the Norris existed: Herb Gardiner, Eddie Shore (four times), Albert "Babe" Siebert, Ebbie Goodfellow, Tommy Anderson, and Babe Pratt. The Professional Hockey Writers' Association votes at season's end, with each voter ranking five candidates on a 10–7–5–3–1 point system; three finalists are named, and the trophy is presented at the NHL awards ceremony after the playoffs.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in Detroit Red Wings
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced