William M. Jennings Trophy

The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League (NHL) award given to "the goaltender(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it ... based on regular-season play."[1] From 1946 until 1981, the Vezina Trophy had been awarded under that definition, but it was later changed and replaced by the Jennings Trophy. It is named in honor of William M. Jennings, the longtime governor and president of the New York Rangers. Since its beginnings in 1982, it has been awarded at the end of 40 seasons to 44 different players; mostly in tandems of two goaltenders.

William M. Jennings Trophy
SportIce hockey
Awarded forNational Hockey League goaltender(s) that have played for the team that allows the fewest goals scored against it.
History
First award1981–82 NHL season
Most recentConnor Hellebuyck
Winnipeg Jets

The most recent winner is Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets had a league-low 199 team goals-against in the 2023–24 season.

History

From 1946 until the 1980–81 season, the Vezina Trophy was awarded to the goaltender(s) of the NHL team allowing the fewest goals during the regular season.[2] However, it was recognized that this system often meant the trophy went to the goaltender of the better team rather than the individual and was changed to offer the trophy to the most outstanding goaltender, as voted by the NHL general managers. The William M. Jennings Trophy was created as a replacement and is awarded to the starting goaltender(s) playing for the team with the fewest goals against.[3]

The Jennings Trophy was donated by the NHL's board of governors and first presented at the conclusion of the 1981–82 season. It is named in honor of the late William M. Jennings, who was a longtime governor and president of the New York Rangers and a builder of ice hockey in the United States.[1] Normally the minimum number of games a goaltender must play to be eligible for the trophy is 25, but for the lockout shortened 1994–95 season, the required minimum was fourteen games.[4]

Nine players have won both the Jennings and Vezina Trophy for the same season: Patrick Roy (1988–89 and 1991–92), Ed Belfour (1990–91 and 1992–93), Dominik Hasek (1993–94 and 2000–01), Martin Brodeur (2002–03, 2003–04), Miikka Kiprusoff (2005–06), Tim Thomas (2008–09), Carey Price (2014–15), Marc-Andre Fleury (2020–21), and Linus Ullmark (2022–23).[2] Roy and Brodeur have won the trophy five times each, the most of any goaltenders. Belfour is third, having won four times. The Montreal Canadiens have the most wins, with six, followed by the New Jersey Devils and the Chicago Blackhawks with five each, the Boston Bruins with four, and the Buffalo Sabres and with three.

Winners

Patrick Roy, five-time winner
Dominik Hasek, three-time winner
Martin Brodeur, five-time winner
Chris Osgood, two-time winner
Jaroslav Halak, two-time winner
Robin Lehner, two-time winner
  Player is still active in the NHL
  Player's team won the Stanley Cup
  Player elected to Hockey Hall of Fame
  Player not yet eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame

Bold Player with the fewest goals ever scored against in a Jennings' winning season.[a]

William M. Jennings Trophy winners
SeasonWinnerTeamGoals
allowed
Win #Team Win #
1981–82Rick WamsleyMontreal Canadiens22311
Denis Herron1
1982–83Roland MelansonNew York Islanders22611
Billy Smith1
1983–84Al JensenWashington Capitals22611
Pat Riggin1
1984–85Tom BarrassoBuffalo Sabres23711
Bob Sauve1
1985–86Bob FroesePhiladelphia Flyers24111
Darren Jensen1
1986–87Patrick RoyMontreal Canadiens24112
Brian Hayward1
1987–88Patrick RoyMontreal Canadiens23823
Brian Hayward2
1988–89Patrick RoyMontreal Canadiens21834
Brian Hayward3
1989–90Andy MoogBoston Bruins23211
Rejean Lemelin1
1990–91Ed BelfourChicago Blackhawks21111
1991–92Patrick RoyMontreal Canadiens20745
1992–93Ed BelfourChicago Blackhawks23922
1993–94Dominik HasekBuffalo Sabres21812
Grant Fuhr1
1994–95[b]Ed BelfourChicago Blackhawks11533
1995–96Chris OsgoodDetroit Red Wings18111
Mike Vernon1
1996–97Martin BrodeurNew Jersey Devils18211
Mike Dunham1
1997–98Martin BrodeurNew Jersey Devils16622
1998–99Ed BelfourDallas Stars16841
Roman Turek1
1999–2000Roman TurekSt. Louis Blues16521
2000–01Dominik HasekBuffalo Sabres18423
2001–02Patrick RoyColorado Avalanche16951
2002–03[c]Martin BrodeurNew Jersey Devils16633
Roman CechmanekPhiladelphia Flyers16612
Robert Esche1
2003–04Martin BrodeurNew Jersey Devils16444
2004–05[d]
2005–06Miikka KiprusoffCalgary Flames20011
2006–07Niklas BackstromMinnesota Wild19111
Manny Fernandez1
2007–08Dominik HasekDetroit Red Wings18432
Chris Osgood2
2008–09Tim ThomasBoston Bruins19612
Manny Fernandez2
2009–10Martin BrodeurNew Jersey Devils19155
2010–11Roberto LuongoVancouver Canucks18511
Cory Schneider1
2011–12Brian ElliottSt. Louis Blues16512
Jaroslav Halak1
2012–13[e]Corey CrawfordChicago Blackhawks10214
Ray Emery1
2013–14Jonathan QuickLos Angeles Kings17411
2014–15[f]Corey CrawfordChicago Blackhawks18925
Carey PriceMontreal Canadiens16
2015–16Frederik AndersenAnaheim Ducks19211
John Gibson1
2016–17Braden HoltbyWashington Capitals18212
2017–18Jonathan QuickLos Angeles Kings20322
2018–19Thomas GreissNew York Islanders19112
Robin Lehner1
2019–20[g]Tuukka RaskBoston Bruins17413
Jaroslav Halak2
2020–21[h]Marc-Andre FleuryVegas Golden Knights12411
Robin Lehner2
2021–22Frederik AndersenCarolina Hurricanes20221
Antti Raanta1
2022–23Linus UllmarkBoston Bruins17714
Jeremy Swayman1
2023–24Connor HellebuyckWinnipeg Jets19911

See also

Notes

References

General
  • "William M. Jennings Trophy history". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
  • "William M. Jennings Trophy history". Legends of Hockey. Archived from the original on August 7, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
  • "Final Standings". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
Specific