List of NHL James Norris Memorial Trophy Winners

Last Modified Feb 14, 2024 12:06 GMT
List of NHL James Norris Memorial Trophy Winners
ames Norris Memorial Trophy. Source: Getty Images

The James Norris Memorial Trophy, commonly known as the Norris Trophy, is presented yearly to the NHL's premier defenseman who showcases outstanding all-around skills throughout the season. Established in 1953–54 and named after James E. Norris, former owner of the Detroit Red Wings. It has been awarded 62 times to 26 players since its creation. At the conclusion of each season, members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association cast their votes to select the defenseman with the most outstanding performance in the regular season.

The votes are casted by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season. Each member ranks their top five candidates on a 10-7-5-3-1 point(s) system. The trophy is awarded at the NHL awards ceremony, conducted after the conclusion of the playoff stage.

James Norris Memorial Trophy Winner List

The James Norris Memorial Trophy is dedicated to James E. Norris, the owner of the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1932 to 1952. First awarded in the 1953–54 NHL season, it gained prominence with Bobby Orr winning a record eight consecutive times from 1968 to 1975. Other notable multiple winners include Doug Harvey and Nicklas Lidstrom (seven times each) and Ray Bourque (five times), who also secured a top-three spot in voting ten additional times.

Shown below are James Norris Memorial Trophy winners since 1953-54.

SeasonWinnerTeam
1953–54Red KellyDetroit Red Wings
1954–55Doug HarveyMontreal Canadiens
1955–56Doug HarveyMontreal Canadiens
1956–57Doug HarveyMontreal Canadiens
1957–58Doug HarveyMontreal Canadiens
1958–59Tom JohnsonMontreal Canadiens
1959–60Doug HarveyMontreal Canadiens
1960–61Doug HarveyMontreal Canadiens
1961–62Doug HarveyNew York Rangers
1962–63Pierre PiloteChicago Black Hawks
1963–64Pierre PiloteChicago Black Hawks
1964–65Pierre PiloteChicago Black Hawks
1965–66Jacques LaperriereMontreal Canadiens
1966–67Harry HowellNew York Rangers
1967–68Bobby OrrBoston Bruins
1968–69Bobby OrrBoston Bruins
1969–70Bobby OrrBoston Bruins
1970–71Bobby OrrBoston Bruins
1971–72Bobby OrrBoston Bruins
1972–73Bobby OrrBoston Bruins
1973–74Bobby OrrBoston Bruins
1974–75Bobby OrrBoston Bruins
1975–76Denis PotvinNew York Islanders
1976–77Larry RobinsonMontreal Canadiens
1977–78Denis PotvinNew York Islanders
1978–79Denis PotvinNew York Islanders
1979–80Larry RobinsonMontreal Canadiens
1980–81Randy CarlylePittsburgh Penguins
1981–82Doug WilsonChicago Black Hawks
1982–83Rod LangwayWashington Capitals
1983–84Rod LangwayWashington Capitals
1984–85Paul CoffeyEdmonton Oilers
1985–86Paul CoffeyEdmonton Oilers
1986–87Ray BourqueBoston Bruins
1987–88Ray BourqueBoston Bruins
1988–89Chris CheliosMontreal Canadiens
1989–90Ray BourqueBoston Bruins
1990–91Ray BourqueBoston Bruins
1991–92Brian LeetchNew York Rangers
1992–93Chris CheliosChicago Blackhawks
1993–94Ray BourqueBoston Bruins
1994–95Paul CoffeyDetroit Red Wings
1995–96Chris CheliosChicago Blackhawks
1996–97Brian LeetchNew York Rangers
1997–98Rob BlakeLos Angeles Kings
1998–99Al MacInnisSt. Louis Blues
1999–00Chris ProngerSt. Louis Blues
2000–01Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red Wings
2001–02Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red Wings
2002–03Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red Wings
2003–04Scott NiedermayerNew Jersey Devils
2004–05Season cancelled due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout
2005–06Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red Wings
2006–07Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red Wings
2007–08Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red Wings
2008–09Zdeno CharaBoston Bruins
2009–10Duncan KeithChicago Blackhawks
2010–11Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red Wings
2011–12Erik KarlssonOttawa Senators
2012–13P. K. SubbanMontreal Canadiens
2013–14Duncan KeithChicago Blackhawks
2014–15Erik KarlssonOttawa Senators
2015–16Drew DoughtyLos Angeles Kings
2016–17Brent BurnsSan Jose Sharks
2017–18Victor HedmanTampa Bay Lightning
2018–19Mark GiordanoCalgary Flames
2019–20Roman JosiNashville Predators
2020–21Adam FoxNew York Rangers
2021–22Cale MakarColorado Avalanche
2022–23Erik KarlssonSan Jose Sharks

Players with most James Norris Memorial Trophies

The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 62 times to 26 players since its creation in 1953-54. Out of those 26 players, many of them have won the trophy on multiple occasions. This elusive list includes Bobby Orr, who won the award eight times during his illustrious career.

A list players who have won the most James Norris Memorial Trophies are shown below:

PlayersTeamsNo. of Trophies
Bobby OrrBoston Bruins 8
Nicklas LidstromDetroit Red Wings 7
Doug Harvey Montreal Canadiens, New York Yankees 7
Ray BourqueBoston Bruins 5

FAQ's on James Norris Memorial Trophy Winners

A. The James Norris Memorial Trophy, also known as the Norris Trophy, is an annual award presented to the NHL's premier defenseman who demonstrates exceptional all-around skills during the regular season.

A. The trophy is named after James E. Norris, the former owner of the Detroit Red Wings and a significant figure in NHL history.

A. The Norris Trophy was first awarded after the 1953–54 NHL season.

A. Bobby Orr holds the record for winning the Norris Trophy eight consecutive times from 1968 to 1975.

A. The Boston Bruins boast the highest number of Norris Trophy winners with 14, followed by the Montreal Canadiens with 12.

Related Stories

Patrik Laine's fiancee Jordan pens 4-word statement resonating with Millie Bobby Brown calling out media's scrutiny on young girls Patrik Laine's fiancee Jordan pens 4-word statement resonating with Millie Bobby Brown calling out media's scrutiny on young girls
Patrik Laine's fiancee Jordan pens 4-word statement resonating with Millie Bobby Brown calling out media's scrutiny on young girls
Watch: Nikita Zadorov and Sam Bennett chuck knuckles in final seconds of heated Bruins-Panthers game Watch: Nikita Zadorov and Sam Bennett chuck knuckles in final seconds of heated Bruins-Panthers game
Watch: Nikita Zadorov and Sam Bennett chuck knuckles in final seconds of heated Bruins-Panthers game 
Flyers lineup tonight: Philadelphia's projected lineup for game against the Tampa Bay Lightning | March 13, 2025 Flyers lineup tonight: Philadelphia's projected lineup for game against the Tampa Bay Lightning | March 13, 2025
Flyers lineup tonight: Philadelphia's projected lineup for game against the Tampa Bay Lightning | March 13, 2025
1d
Bruins HC Joe Sacco makes his feelings clear about facing challenges while adapting to fresh-look roster after multiple trades Bruins HC Joe Sacco makes his feelings clear about facing challenges while adapting to fresh-look roster after multiple trades
Bruins HC Joe Sacco makes his feelings clear about facing challenges while adapting to fresh-look roster after multiple trades
1d
NHL insider claims Toronto Maple Leafs were Mikko Rantanen's potential Plan B trade destination had blockbuster Dallas Stars move failed NHL insider claims Toronto Maple Leafs were Mikko Rantanen's potential Plan B trade destination had blockbuster Dallas Stars move failed
NHL insider claims Toronto Maple Leafs were Mikko Rantanen's potential Plan B trade destination had blockbuster Dallas Stars move failed
1d
NHL insider discloses why Vancouver Canucks weren't able to move $19,950,000 forward ahead of deadline NHL insider discloses why Vancouver Canucks weren't able to move $19,950,000 forward ahead of deadline
NHL insider discloses why Vancouver Canucks weren't able to move $19,950,000 forward ahead of deadline
1d
HC Marty St. Louis gives an honest review of Montreal Canadiens' $186,600,000-worth top line leading by example in recent games HC Marty St. Louis gives an honest review of Montreal Canadiens' $186,600,000-worth top line leading by example in recent games
HC Marty St. Louis gives an honest review of Montreal Canadiens' $186,600,000-worth top line leading by example in recent games
Brad Marchand hints at 'potentially' returning to Boston Bruins in July following shocking Panthers trade Brad Marchand hints at 'potentially' returning to Boston Bruins in July following shocking Panthers trade
Brad Marchand hints at 'potentially' returning to Boston Bruins in July following shocking Panthers trade
Swayman yanked, 1st period disaster and more: 3 reasons why Boston Bruins lost 6-3 to Ottawa Senators Swayman yanked, 1st period disaster and more: 3 reasons why Boston Bruins lost 6-3 to Ottawa Senators
Swayman yanked, 1st period disaster and more: 3 reasons why Boston Bruins lost 6-3 to Ottawa Senators
15h
NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers among 4 big teams Mikko Rantanen was ‘willing’ to sign extension with NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers among 4 big teams Mikko Rantanen was ‘willing’ to sign extension with
NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers among 4 big teams Mikko Rantanen was ‘willing’ to sign extension with
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications