Canadiens Players Who Won Multiple Hart Trophies

Let’s talk about the ultimate individual honor in hockey: the Hart Memorial Trophy. Awarded annually to the player judged "most valuable to his team" in the National Hockey League, it’s a testament to a season of sheer dominance. For a franchise like the Montreal Canadiens, a team synonymous with collective excellence and a record 24 Stanley Cup championships, having a player win it once is special. But having players win it multiple times? That’s the stuff of true legend.

It speaks to a rare blend of individual brilliance that was so overwhelming, it could define an era for the Habs. These weren't just great players having a great year; they were forces of nature who carried the weight of the CH logo on their crest and the expectations of a city on their shoulders, season after season. In the long, storied history of Les Canadiens de Montréal, only a select few have achieved this monumental feat. This is their story.

The Hart Trophy: Understanding Hockey's MVP Crown

Before we meet the legends, let's quickly understand what they won. The Hart Trophy is the oldest individual award in the NHL, first presented in 1924. The key phrase in its criteria is "most valuable to his team." This often means the player who was most indispensable, the one whose performance was the single biggest factor in their team's success. It’s not always the top scorer, though that certainly helps.

Winning it once immortalizes you in the record books. Winning it multiple times, especially in the pressure-cooker environment of Montreal, elevates you to a pantheon of the sport's all-time greats. It says you weren't a flash in the pan; you were the consistent, driving engine of one of the world's most famous sports franchises.

The Pioneering Force: Howie Morenz (1928, 1931, 1932)

The Stratford Streak set the standard for what a Montreal Canadiens superstar could be. In an era where the game was rapidly evolving, Morenz was its first true offensive dynamo, a blur of speed and skill that captivated fans at the Montreal Forum.

His Hart Wins: Morenz was the first Hab to win the Hart, claiming it in 1928. He then became the first player in NHL history to win it three times, adding back-to-back trophies in 1931 and 1932.
The MVP Impact: In those MVP seasons, he wasn't just leading the Habs; he was leading the entire league in scoring. His electrifying style didn't just fill the net; it filled the seats and built the modern mythology of the Canadiens as a team of speed and excitement. He was the franchise's first true box-office and on-ice MVP, a bridge from the early days to the coming dynasty.

The Rocket's Ascent: Maurice 'Rocket' Richard (1947)

Now, here’s an important note in our journey: the great Maurice 'Rocket' Richard. The Rocket is, without question, one of the most valuable and iconic players to ever wear the bleu, blanc, et rouge. His intensity, his goal-scoring prowess (he was the first to score 50 goals in 50 games), and his symbolic importance are the bedrock of the franchise's identity.

However, he "only" won the Hart Trophy once, in 1947. This fact alone highlights just how difficult it is to win this award multiple times. The Rocket was perennially in the conversation, but the singular nature of his 1947 season—where he dominated the league—secured his place. His legacy is immense, but for our list of multiple winners, we must look to the two giants who followed him.

Le Gros Bill: The Epitome of Class and Dominance - Jean Béliveau (1956, 1964)

If any player embodied the dignity, skill, and winning tradition of the Montreal Canadiens, it was Jean Béliveau. A graceful powerhouse, Béliveau wasn't just a player; he was an institution. His leadership as captain and his clutch performances are the stuff of legend.

His Hart Wins: He captured his first Hart in 1956, a season where he led the NHL in scoring and powered the Habs to a Stanley Cup championship. His second came in 1964, a testament to his enduring excellence deep into his career.
The MVP Impact: Béliveau’s value went far beyond points. He was the cornerstone of the dynasty that won five straight Cups from 1956-1960. He was the player you wanted on the ice in every critical situation. Winning the Hart eight years apart showcases a rare longevity of elite, MVP-caliber play. He was the steady, majestic force that made everyone around him better, the definitive leader for a definitive franchise.

The Flower Blooms: Guy Lafleur (1977, 1978)

As the torch passed from the elegance of Béliveau, it ignited the explosive, flowing brilliance of Guy Lafleur. In the era of the famed 1976-1979 Canadiens dynasty, Lafleur was its most dazzling offensive weapon. With his hair flowing behind him and his blistering speed, "the Flower" was the heartbeat of a team many consider the greatest ever assembled.

His Hart Wins: Lafleur won consecutive Hart Trophies in 1977 and 1978. In both those seasons, he also won the Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion and the Stanley Cup, achieving the pinnacle of team and individual success.
The MVP Impact: On a team stacked with Hall of Famers, from Serge Savard on defense to Ken Dryden in goal, Lafleur was still the undeniable MVP. He provided the breathtaking, game-breaking offense that complemented the team's structured defense. His back-to-back Harts during the four straight Cups run prove he was the offensive engine of a juggernaut. He didn't just play for the Habs; he embodied the thrilling, victorious spirit of the Forum in the 1970s.

The Goaltender Who Changed the Game: Jacques Plante (1962)

Much like Maurice Richard, Jacques Plante is a singular giant in Habs history whose impact demands mention, even with one Hart win. Plante revolutionized goaltending with his puck-handling and, most famously, the introduction of the mask. He won the Hart in 1962, a rare feat for a goaltender, underscoring his immense value. He was the backbone of the late-1950s dynasty. While he doesn't appear on our multiple-winners list, his MVP season is a crucial chapter in the story of legendary Canadiens value. You can dive deeper into his groundbreaking career in our feature on Jacques Plante and his mask innovation.

The Modern Guardian: Patrick Roy (1989, 1990)

The last Montreal Canadiens player to win multiple Hart Trophies did so from the crease. Patrick Roy, with his fiery competitiveness and unparalleled playoff prowess, didn't just win games; he stole them. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Roy was the Canadiens' identity.

His Hart Wins: St. Patrick achieved the remarkable by winning the Vezina Trophy as best goalie and the Hart Trophy as league MVP in consecutive seasons, 1989 and 1990.
The MVP Impact: His value was quantifiable and visceral. In an era where the Habs were often outshot, Roy's save percentage was otherworldly. He provided a confidence that seeped through the entire lineup. Winning the Hart as a goalie is incredibly difficult; winning it twice in a row is a historic achievement that highlights just how indispensable he was to his team's success, culminating in an unforgettable Stanley Cup run in 1993.

What Does It Take to Win Multiple Harts in Montreal?

Looking at this exclusive club, we can spot some common threads:

1. Sustained Peak Performance: It’s not about one magical year. It’s about being the best player on the ice, night after night, for multiple seasons.


2. Carrying the Torch: Each of these players, from Morenz to Roy, defined an era for the Habs. They were the face of the franchise during their tenure.


3. Synergy with Team Success: With the exception of some of Roy's early years, these MVP campaigns were often intertwined with deep playoff runs and Stanley Cup victories. They lifted the team to its historic standard.


4. Thriving Under Pressure: Playing in Montreal comes with a unique intensity. These players didn't just handle the pressure of the spotlight; they used it as fuel to reach even greater heights.

The Legacy and the Future

The players in this article are not just Montreal Canadiens legends; they are pillars of the National Hockey League. Their names are etched on the Hart Trophy and, more importantly, on the Stanley Cup. They created the moments that filled the old Forum with thunder and continue to echo in the Bell Centre.

Since Patrick Roy' double in 1990, no Hab has won the Hart Trophy. This isn't a mark of decline, but a testament to the rarity of the achievement. The award has become increasingly competitive, often centering on league-wide scoring leaders.

The question for the next generation is: Who will be next? As the Habs build toward a new future under the stewardship of the Molson family, fans watch young stars with the hope that one might someday reach the consistent, dominant plateau of a Morenz, a Béliveau, a Lafleur, or a Roy. It will require a special talent, one who can bear the weight of history and rise above the entire league.

Exploring the Broader Tapestry of Greatness

The Hart Trophy tells one chapter of the story, but the Montreal Canadiens' history is woven from many threads. The defensive mastery of a player like Serge Savard was just as vital to those dynasty teams as the flashy offense. True greatness in Montreal has always been a blend of the spectacular and the steadfast.

To discover more about the men who built this franchise, from the pioneering champions to the modern icons, explore our complete archive of legendary players. Their stories, their battles, and their triumphs are what make the Habs' story the greatest in sports.

Who do you think was the most valuable of these multiple Hart Trophy winners? Is there a current player in the NHL who reminds you of their style? Share your thoughts and keep the conversation about Canadiens greatness alive!