The Vezina Trophy

The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League’s (NHL) top goaltender as determined by a vote of the general managers of the league’s 32 teams. The trophy is named after Georges Vézina, one of the early pioneers of the NHL and the Montreal Canadiens’ goaltender from 1910 to 1925.

Inception (1927): The Vezina Trophy was introduced in the 1926-27 NHL season. It was initially awarded to the goaltender who allowed the fewest goals during the regular season.

Early Dominance (1927-1940s): In the early years, George Hainsworth of the Montreal Canadiens won the Vezina Trophy the first three years that it was awarded. Hainsworth notably posted 22 shutouts in the 1928-29 season, a record that still stands today.

Original Six Era (1942-1967): During this period, several legendary goaltenders claimed the Vezina Trophy, including Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, and Glenn Hall. Jacques Plante, known for popularizing the use of the goalie mask, won the trophy an impressive seven times during his career. Jacques Plante holds the record with 7 Vezina wins. Bill Durnan and Dominik Hasik are tied for second with six wins each.

Expansion and Dominance (1967-1980s): With the expansion of the NHL in 1967, more teams entered the league, and the competition for the Vezina Trophy intensified. Legendary goaltenders like Ken Dryden, Tony Esposito, and Bernie Parent became dominant figures in the trophy’s history.

Patrick Roy and Dominik Hasek (1980s-1990s): Patrick Roy and Dominik Hasek are two of the most iconic goaltenders in Vezina Trophy history. Roy won the trophy three times in the 1980s, and Hasek, known for his unorthodox style, claimed it six times in the 1990s.

Modern Era (2000s): In the modern era, goaltenders like Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist, and Carey Price have been prominent winners. Brodeur holds numerous records and won the Vezina Trophy four times.

Recent Winners (2020s): Recent Vezina Trophy winners included Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who won it in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets won it for the 2020-21 season. Igor Shisterken of the New York Rangers and Linus Ullmark are the two most recent winners in 2022 and 2023.

The method of determining the Vezina Trophy winner has evolved over the years. Here’s a brief history of how the winner of the Vezina Trophy has been determined, including key dates of change:

1927-1981 – Fewest Goals Allowed (Goals Against Average): From the inception of the Vezina Trophy in 1927 until 1981, the winner was determined based on the goaltender or goaltending tandem that allowed the fewest goals against during the regular season. This was calculated as the team’s goals against average (GAA), which took into account the total number of goals allowed divided by the number of games played.

In the 1981-82 season, the criteria for the Vezina Trophy changed. Rather than being awarded based solely on the fewest goals allowed, it was given to the goaltender who was voted by the league’s general managers as the best at his position. This marked a shift away from pure statistical analysis.

1982-Present – Vezina Trophy as Best Goaltender: Since the 1981-82 season, the Vezina Trophy has been awarded to the goaltender who is voted by the NHL’s general managers as the best at his position, irrespective of statistical measures. This change allowed for a more subjective evaluation of a goaltender’s performance and took into account factors beyond just goals against average.

Conclusion: The Vezina Trophy stands as a testament to the art of goaltending in the National Hockey League. For decades, it has celebrated the remarkable skill, resilience, and acumen required to guard the net and thwart opposing offenses. From Georges Vézina himself to modern-day legends, the award honors those who master the delicate dance of anticipation and reaction, embodying the essence of a position that remains at the heart of the world’s fastest sport.

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