MVP Trophies and Winners tells the story of hockey's three most prestigious individual awards: the Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player of the NHL regular season), the Ted Lindsay Trophy (MVP of the NHL regular season as voted by the players) and the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP of the NHL playoffs).

The authors present the history and origins of each trophy, as well as a biography of those whom the trophies are named after. Duff and Shea profile every winner of each trophy and make their own selections for the winners of each award in the seasons preceding each trophy's existence.

MVP Trophies and Winners recounts the most controversial selections and surprise winners. Readers will be able to relive the best seasons and performances hockey has ever seen as Duff and Shea profile the NHL's multiple MVP winners and the most seminal seasons ever recorded.

MVP Trophies and Winners is the MVP of hockey books.

Bob Duff and Ryan Dixon

Bob Duff's profile page

DEREK SANDERSON grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and played for the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL, as well as the Philadelphia Blazers of the WHA. A former sports commentator, Sanderson is currently an investment professional in Boston, where he serves as a financial advisor for athletes.

KEVIN SHEA is the editor of publications for the Hockey Hall of Fame and the author of twelve hockey books, including Barilko: Without a Trace and Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup. Shea is the recipient of the 2012 Brian McFarlane Award for excellence in research and writing.

Kevin Shea's profile page

Once again this Firefly volume gives an incredible amount of information for the hockey enthusiast. It will be well received by all who have an interest in the game.

Resource Links

This gorgeous volume showcases the winners of the National Hockey League's three most prestigious awards and trophies: the Hart Memorial Trophy, the game's oldest individual award, given to the year's most valuable player as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association; the Ted Lindsay Award, also given to the year's MVP but selected by the NHL Players Association; and the Conn Smythe Trophy, presented to the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The text is organized around the three awards... the illustrations are spectacular: sparkling action shots of all the greats strutting their stuff.

Booklist

Duff and Shea provide a thorough background for a handful of these awards--they have gone through any number of name changes and trophy models--and all the controversies and close calls. They then provide short biographies and crisp photos of the winners of the three principal trophies--there are enough action shots to make readers want to hit the pond for a little shinny.... The tone is enthusiastic, and the book runneth over with facts and lore. Any hockey fan will revel in these profiles of most valuable players, especially the oldsters that stir such memories--all those goals, all those broken noses.

Kirkus Reviews

Interesting details about award controversies, background about how the trophies were named, gripes from spurned players, and collector-card-type photos make the book fun to read. There is humor in quotes from icons such as Ted Lindsay, who said his "involuntary plastic surgery" (stitches from hockey injuries) improved his appearance. Libraries in areas where ice hockey flourishes will relish this colorful history.

VOYA