The NHL Plus-Minus Award was a trophy awarded annually by the National Hockey League to the ice hockey "player, having played a minimum of 60 games, who leads the league in plus-minus statistics." It was sponsored by a commercial business, and it had been known under five different names. First given for performance during the season, Wayne Gretzky won the award the most times, with three. Gretzky also led the league once prior to the inception of the award. Bobby Orr has led the NHL the most times in plus-minus, with six, all prior to the inception of the award. The award was discontinued after being awarded to Pavel Datsyuk following the season.
History
The plus/minus statistic was first established during the 1967–68 NHL season. This statistic reflects a player's ability to contribute offensively and defensively. The award was first given at the end of the season. From to, it was known as the Emery Edge Award. During, there was no formal name for the Award. From to, it was known as the Alka-Seltzer Plus Award. From to, it was known as the Bud Ice Plus-Minus Award. Finally, from to, it was known as the Bud Light Plus-Minus Award. Three-time winner Wayne Gretzky won the award the most times out of any player, and is one of only three repeat winners, joined by two-time winners John LeClair and Chris Pronger. Gretzky recorded the highest single-season result, +98, of all Award winners. The Award was won by players on the Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings four times each, with three wins by players on the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues. Including the 20 seasons the League tracked plus-minus as a statistic without an award, the Boston Bruins have led the League 11 times, Edmonton Oilers five times and four times each by players on the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers.
Bold Player with the best plus-minus ever recorded in a season.
Plus-minus leaders (1967–1982)
Before 1983, there was no award for leading the League in plus-minus. The NHL started counting the statistics in 1967, and this lists all the leaders from the inception of the statistic to the inception of the award. , three-time winner
