Lester Patrick Trophy
Awarded for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
The Lester Patrick Trophy, awarded jointly by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey, recognizes contributions to ice hockey within the United States. Unlike standard NHL trophies, it can go to players, coaches, officials, or other individuals not affiliated with the league. The award is named for Lester Patrick (1883–1960), a former player and long-time New York Rangers coach who helped develop the sport. First presented by the New York Rangers in 1966, the trophy honors Patrick’s legacy as the club’s general manager and coach. It is given annually for “outstanding service to hockey in the United States.” A selection committee—including the NHL commissioner, a Rangers governor, a Hockey Hall of Fame builder, a Hall of Fame player, a U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member, an NHL Broadcasters’ Association representative, and a Professional Hockey Writers’ Association member—chooses recipients from players, coaches, referees, and executives. The trophy's first recipient was Jack Adams. To date, 108 individuals and three teams have received the trophy. Women have been honored twice: in 1999, the 1998 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team shared the award with Harry Sinden, and in 2007, Cammi Granato—a member of that same Olympic team—won it individually.
Quick Facts
- Sport
- Ice hockey
- Givenfor
- Personnel who provide outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
- First
- 1966
- Mostrecent
- Ray Shero, 2025
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Lester Patrick Trophy was presented by the New York Rangers in 1966. It honors the late Lester Patrick, who was a general manager and coach of the club. It is presented annually for 'outstanding service to hockey in the United States'. Players, coaches, referees, and executives are eligible to receive the trophy, and are chosen by a committee including the National Hockey League (NHL) commissioner and a governor, a representative of the New York Rangers; and a previous inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame's builder section, Hockey Hall of Fame player's section, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, NHL Broadcasters' Association, and the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.
Reader's Guide
The Lester Patrick Trophy is notable for its broad eligibility, extending beyond NHL players to include coaches, officials, and other personnel, which distinguishes it as a non-NHL trophy. The trophy has been given to 108 individuals and three teams. It has been awarded to women on two occasions: in 1999, the 1998 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team was presented the trophy along with Harry Sinden, and in 2007, Cammi Granato individually won the trophy. Granato was also a member of the 1998 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team that received the trophy in 1998. The trophy's first recipient was Jack Adams. The selection committee includes the NHL commissioner, a New York Rangers representative, and members from various hockey organizations.
Did You Know?
- The trophy is named after Lester Patrick, a player and longtime coach of the New York Rangers who was a developer of ice hockey.
- The trophy has been awarded to women twice: to the 1998 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team in 1999 and to Cammi Granato in 2007.
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