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Hurricanes star Jordan Staal wins Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley Cup playoff MVP
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- Hurricanes star Jordan Staal wins Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley Cup playoff MVP
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here are recent winners:
(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)
2026: Jordan Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
2025: Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
2024: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
2023: Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas Golden Knights
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
2022: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
2021: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
2020: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
2019: Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis Blues
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
2018: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
2017: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
2016: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
2015: Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
(Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)
2014: Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
2013: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
2011: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
2010: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
2009: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
(Michael Sackett, US PRESSWIRE)
2008: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
(Michael Sackett, US PRESSWIRE)
2006: Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes
(James Guillory, US PRESSWIRE)
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here are recent winners:
(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)
1
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here are recent winners:
(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)
2
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2026: Jordan Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
3
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2025: Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
4
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2024: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
5
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2023: Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas Golden Knights
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
6
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2022: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
7
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2021: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
8
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2020: Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
9
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2019: Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis Blues
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
10
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2018: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2017: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2016: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2015: Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
(Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)
14
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2014: Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
15
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2013: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
16
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2011: Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
17
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2010: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
(Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
18
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2009: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
(Michael Sackett, US PRESSWIRE)
19
/20
Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2008: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
(Michael Sackett, US PRESSWIRE)
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Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Stanley Cup playoff MVPs
2006: Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes
(James Guillory, US PRESSWIRE)
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal tied an NHL playoff record when he scored in each of the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final .
That led to him winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after the Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in a near-perfect Game 6 on Sunday, June 14. Carolina won the series 4-2 for their first Stanley Cup championship since 2006.
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At age 37, Staal became the oldest player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Beyond the goal streak and the record, Staal was a defensive stalwart in the playoffs, shutting down Vegas star Jack Eichel among others.
The Carolina Hurricanes secured the Stanley Cup
, closing out the series with a championship‑winning performance.
See the defining moments from the title‑clinching game as the Hurricanes lifted the Cup.
Above, Carolina Hurricanes celebrate the win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena.
Carter Hart #79 of the Vegas Golden Knights defends the net against Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates at the end of Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate winning Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal in the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
Mark Jankowski #77, Brandon Bussi #32 and Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
K'andre Miller #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes reacts after winning against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal scored by Taylor Hall #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
Commissioner Gary Bettman presents Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes with the Conn Smythe Trophy after winning in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
1
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes secured the Stanley Cup
, closing out the series with a championship‑winning performance.
See the defining moments from the title‑clinching game as the Hurricanes lifted the Cup.
Above, Carolina Hurricanes celebrate the win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena.
1
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes secured the Stanley Cup
, closing out the series with a championship‑winning performance.
See the defining moments from the title‑clinching game as the Hurricanes lifted the Cup.
Above, Carolina Hurricanes celebrate the win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena.
2
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Carter Hart #79 of the Vegas Golden Knights defends the net against Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
3
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates at the end of Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
4
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate winning Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
5
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates a goal in the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
6
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
7
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Mark Jankowski #77, Brandon Bussi #32 and Jaccob Slavin #74 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
8
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
K'andre Miller #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes reacts after winning against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
9
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal scored by Taylor Hall #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
10
/10
Hurricanes win 2026 Stanley Cup as celebration takes over the ice
Commissioner Gary Bettman presents Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes with the Conn Smythe Trophy after winning in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
Staal's streak, which ended in Game 6 , tied him with Hall of Famers Yyan Cournoyer, Jean Beliveau, Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Fred "Cyclone" Taylor.
Staal picked up the second Stanley Cup title in his career. He also won with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, setting the mark for longest stretch between championships at 17 years. The previous mark of 16 years was held by Chris Chelios (1986 to 2002).
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Staal got to lift the Stanley Cup first this time as Hurricanes captain. He handed off to Frederik Andersen , who helped the Hurricanes reach the final with stellar play in the first three rounds.
Staal sat next to the Conn Smythe Trophy and his children during his postgame news conference. After the questions ended, his daughter asked about him dropping the gloves with Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk in the playoff opener.
"Why did you punch that guy?" she asked. "Questions that need to answered, guys."
Staal laughed and said, "I'll answer that later."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jordan Staal wins Conn Smythe Trophy after Hurricanes win Stanley Cup
