So, you're watching an Edmonton Oilers game, the broadcast flashes a graphic about the scoring race, and you hear the commentators mention the "Art Ross Trophy." Or maybe you're diving into Connor McDavid stats and see he's won it a bunch of times. What exactly is this trophy, and why is it such a big deal in hockey? Let's break down the Art Ross Trophy and all the key terms you need to know to follow the conversation around the NHL's most coveted individual scoring honor.
Art Ross Trophy
The Art Ross Trophy is awarded annually to the player who leads the National Hockey League in total points (goals plus assists) at the end of the regular season. It is one of the most prestigious individual awards, symbolizing offensive dominance and consistency over an 82-game schedule. For players like Connor McDavid, winning it multiple times cements their legacy as generational talents.
Points
In hockey statistics, "points" refer to the sum of a player's goals and assists. It's the primary metric used to determine the winner of the Art Ross Trophy and rank offensive performers. A player earns one point for scoring a goal and one point for being the last or second-last passer on a teammate's goal.
Scoring Title
This is a common synonym for winning the Art Ross Trophy. The player who finishes the regular season with the highest point total is said to have "won the scoring title." It's a straightforward way of saying they were the most productive offensive player in the league that year.
Regular Season
The Art Ross Trophy is based solely on performance during the NHL's 82-game regular season, which runs from October to April. Points accumulated during the Stanley Cup Playoffs do not count toward the award, making consistency over a long grind paramount.
Tie-Breaker
If two or more players finish the regular season with the same number of points, the Art Ross Trophy winner is determined by who scored the most goals. If still tied, it goes to the player with fewer games played, and then to the player who scored their first goal of the season earliest.
Arthur Howey "Art" Ross
The trophy is named for Arthur Howey "Art" Ross, a Hall of Fame defenseman, coach, and longtime executive with the Boston Bruins. He donated the trophy to the NHL in 1947, and it was first awarded for the 1947-48 season to honor the league's top point-getter.
Connor McDavid
The Edmonton Oilers captain is the modern master of the Art Ross Trophy, having won the scoring title five times (as of 2023). His unparalleled speed and playmaking ability make him a perennial favorite to lead the league in points each season.
Wayne Gretzky
Holding the record for the most Art Ross Trophy wins, "The Great One" claimed the award ten times during his legendary career. His point totals, some of which seem untouchable, define the pinnacle of offensive production in NHL history.
Gordie Howe Hat Trick
While not directly related to points, this term—for a goal, an assist, and a fight in one game—is part of hockey lore. It's named for the legendary Gordie Howe, who also won multiple Art Ross Trophies, showcasing a different kind of complete dominance.
Hart Memorial Trophy
Often linked with the Art Ross, the Hart Trophy is awarded to the league's Most Valuable Player as voted by journalists. While the Art Ross recognizes the top scorer, the Hart Trophy considers overall value to a team, meaning the top scorer doesn't always win MVP.
Plus/Minus (+/-)
This is a different statistical category that measures a player's goal differential (goals for vs. goals against) at even strength when they are on the ice. It's separate from point production but is another indicator of a player's overall two-way impact.
Power Play (PP)
A critical team situation where a team has a man advantage due to an opponent's penalty. Points scored on the power play count toward a player's Art Ross Trophy total, and elite scorers like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl often pile up points here.
Assist
One of the two components of a point. A player is credited with an assist for directly setting up a goal. Primary and secondary assists both count equally toward a player's point total for the Art Ross Trophy race.
Rocket Richard Trophy
This is the award given to the player who scores the most goals in the regular season, named for Maurice "Rocket" Richard. It often creates a fun subplot alongside the Art Ross race, as a player can lead in goals but not necessarily in total points.
National Hockey League (NHL)
The premier professional hockey league in North America, comprising 32 teams. The Art Ross Trophy is one of its major annual awards, celebrating individual excellence within the league's competitive framework.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
The postseason tournament to determine the NHL champion. While performance here defines legacies, it does not influence the Art Ross Trophy, which is sealed once the regular season concludes.
Edmonton Oilers
The NHL franchise for which Connor McDavid plays. The Oilers have a rich history with the Art Ross, with players like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Connor McDavid combining for numerous scoring titles for the club.
Leon Draisaitl
McDavid's superstar teammate with the Edmonton Oilers, Draisaitl himself won the Art Ross Trophy in 2020. His presence creates one of the most dynamic scoring duos in the league, and he is often a top contender for the scoring title.
50 Goals in 50 Games
A legendary individual milestone that signifies an incredible scoring pace. While not an official award, achieving it is a historic feat that often coincides with a player being in the thick of the Art Ross Trophy conversation.
Point Streak
This refers to consecutive games in which a player records at least one point. A long point streak is often a key driver in a player's campaign for the Art Ross Trophy, demonstrating remarkable consistency.
Scoring Race
The informal term for the season-long competition to finish with the most points and win the Art Ross Trophy. The "race" is closely followed by fans and analysts, especially in the final months of the regular season.
Even Strength
Refers to gameplay when both teams have five skaters on the ice (no penalties). Points scored at even strength count the same as power-play points, but excelling here is often seen as a marker of dominant 5-on-5 play.
Time on Ice (TOI)
The total amount of time a player spends on the ice during a game. Top scorers vying for the Art Ross Trophy typically log high TOI, especially in critical offensive situations, to maximize their point-producing opportunities.
Franchise Record
Teams track their own history, including which player has scored the most points for the franchise in a season or career. Winning the Art Ross Trophy often means a player is simultaneously setting or challenging franchise records.
In short, the Art Ross Trophy is the ultimate badge of honor for an NHL scorer. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, requiring a blend of elite skill, durability, and consistency over 82 games. For Oilers fans, watching Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl annually compete for this trophy is a thrilling part of the regular season narrative, adding another layer of excitement as the team builds toward its ultimate goal: a Stanley Cup run. It connects the individual brilliance of stars to the rich, statistical tapestry of the sport's history.
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