NHL Records: The Prestige of the Ted Lindsay Award
In the high-stakes world of NHL honours, the Ted Lindsay Award carries a weight that the media-voted trophies can’t quite match. While the Hart Memorial Trophy represents the MVP as seen by writers, the Ted Lindsay Award—formerly known as the Lester B. Pearson—is voted on exclusively by the players themselves; the ultimate peer-review.
Cool Fact: In 2010, the Lester B. Pearson Award—which was first handed out in 1971 (awarded to Phil Esposito)—was renamed in honour of Ted Lindsay, Hockey Hall of Famer known for skill, tenacity, leadership and his role in helping to establish the original Players' Association.
The Standard: Wayne Gretzky’s Five Wins
It’s no surprise that Wayne Gretzky holds the record for the most Ted Lindsay Award wins. "The Great One" took home the trophy five times (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987). During the 1980s, Gretzky’s dominance was so absolute that his peers essentially conceded the title of the "Most Outstanding Player” to him annually. Gretzky’s five Ted Lindsay Awards are still the NHL’s gold standard.
The Four-Win Tier: Lemieux and McDavid
Just below “The Great One” are two generational icons who earned four Ted Lindsay Awards:
Mario Lemieux won the Ted Lindsay Award in 1986, 1988, 1993, and 1996.
Connor McDavid joined the four-win club with Ted Lindsay Awards in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023. At his current pace, McDavid has a legitimate shot at catching Gretzky’s record of five—and moving beyond that number.
The Three-Win Legends: LaFleur, Jagr, Crosby, and Ovechkin
Aside from Gretzky, Lemieux, and McDavid, only a handful of legends have joined the three-time club:
Guy Lafleur won the Ted Lindsay Award in three consecutive seasons from 1976 to 1978.
Jaromir Jagr won the Ted Lindsay Award in 1999, 2000, and 2006.
Sidney Crosby won the Ted Lindsay Award in 2007, 2013, and 2014.
Alex Ovechkin won the Ted Lindsay Award in three consecutive seasons from 2008 to 2010.
Ted Lindsay Award: The Legacy of Peer Recognition
Named after "Terrible Ted" Lindsay, the annual NHL award is a tribute to the players' collective voice. When a player hoists the Ted Lindsay Award, they are receiving the highest form of professional validation. The award is the final word on who the “Most Outstanding Player” was during the season—selected by the players, themselves.