2009-2010 Winner: Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks), 41G 59A 100PAlthough Art Ross is primarily remembered as an executive with the Boston Bruins hockey club, he is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame not as a builder, but as a player. Ross was born in Naughton Ontario, but grew up in Montreal Quebec where he also began his hockey career. Before the National Hockey League existed, the Stanley Cup was a trophy that allowed teams to challenge for the championship. Art Ross won a Stanley Cup while on loan to the Kenora Thistles in 1906-07, and enjoyed a second celebration with the Montreal Wanderers the next season.
He played in the National Hockey Association with Haileybury, Ottawa and the Montreal Wanderers for eight seasons, but when the Wanderers joined the National Hockey League in 1917-18, Ross was with them, playing defense. Unfortunately, fire destroyed the Wanderers’ arena, and when the team withdrew from the league, Ross retired as a player, having played just 3 NHL games. Art Ross was named coach of the Boston Bruins in their inaugural season (1924-25), and won three Stanley Cups with them before moving into the general manager’s chair. In 1945, the Hockey Hall of Fame named its twelve chartered honourees, and Art Ross was one of them.
If two players finish the season with the same number of points, the trophy is awarded in the following manner: 1. Player with most goals; 2. Player with fewer games played; 3. Player scoring first goal of the season.
2010-2011 Winner: Ilya Kovalchuk (New Jersey Devils), 49G 49A 98P
2011-2012 Winner: Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), 34G 61A 95P
2012-2013 Winner: Alexander Ovechkin (Detroit Red Wings), 53G 63A 116P
2013-2014 Winner: Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks), 48G 62A 110P
Runners-up: Michael Frolik finished tied with Kane in 11-12, but scored 33G and lost on the tiebreak by one goal. Ilya Kovalchuk also lost on the tiebreak by 2 goals to Ovechkin in 12-13.