William M. Jennings Trophy


The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League award given to "the goaltender having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it... based on regular-season play." 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 32 seasons to 53 different players; mostly in tandems of two goaltenders.
The most recent winners are Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak of the Boston Bruins, which had a league-low 174 team goals-against in the shortened 2019–20 NHL season.

History

From 1946 until the 1980–81 season, the Vezina Trophy was awarded to the goaltender of the NHL team allowing the fewest goals during the regular season. 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 playing for the team with the fewest goals against.
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. 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.
Seven players have won both the Jennings and Vezina Trophy for the same season: Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour, Dominik Hasek, Martin Brodeur, Miikka Kiprusoff, Tim Thomas, and Carey Price. 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, and the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins with three.

Winners

Bold Player with the fewest goals ever scored against in a season.
SeasonWinnerTeamGoals
allowed		Win #
Montreal Canadiens2231
Denis HerronMontreal Canadiens2231
New York Islanders2261
Billy SmithNew York Islanders2261
Washington Capitals2261
Pat RigginWashington Capitals2261
Buffalo Sabres2371
Bob SauveBuffalo Sabres2371
Philadelphia Flyers2411
Darren JensenPhiladelphia Flyers2411
Montreal Canadiens2411
Brian HaywardMontreal Canadiens2411
Montreal Canadiens2382
Brian HaywardMontreal Canadiens2382
Montreal Canadiens2183
Brian HaywardMontreal Canadiens2183
Boston Bruins2321
Boston Bruins2321
Chicago Blackhawks2111
Montreal Canadiens2074
Chicago Blackhawks2392
Buffalo Sabres2181
Grant FuhrBuffalo Sabres2181
Chicago Blackhawks1153
Detroit Red Wings1811
Mike VernonDetroit Red Wings1811
New Jersey Devils1821
Mike DunhamNew Jersey Devils1821
New Jersey Devils1662
Dallas Stars1684
Roman TurekDallas Stars1681
St. Louis Blues1652
Buffalo Sabres1842
Colorado Avalanche1695
New Jersey Devils1663
Philadelphia Flyers1661
Philadelphia Flyers1661
''New Jersey Devils1644
Calgary Flames2001
Minnesota Wild1911
Manny FernandezMinnesota Wild1911
Detroit Red Wings1843
Chris OsgoodDetroit Red Wings1842
Boston Bruins1961
Manny FernandezBoston Bruins1962
New Jersey Devils1915
Vancouver Canucks1851
Cory SchneiderVancouver Canucks1851
St. Louis Blues1651
Jaroslav HalakSt. Louis Blues1651
''Chicago Blackhawks1021
Ray EmeryChicago Blackhawks1021
Los Angeles Kings1741
Chicago Blackhawks1892
Montreal Canadiens1891
Anaheim Ducks1921
John GibsonAnaheim Ducks1921
Washington Capitals1821
Los Angeles Kings2032
New York Islanders1911
Robin LehnerNew York Islanders1911
Boston Bruins1741
Boston Bruins1742