Hart Trophy Nominees Announced

The Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team" in the National Hockey League. That being said, there has been a gradual trend to give the Hart Trophy to the "best player" in the NHL.

The Hart Trophy was named in 1924 in honour of Canadian Dr. David Hart. Dr. Hart, who donated the original trophy to the NHL, was the father of Cecil Hart, a former Coach and General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club.

Today the NHL announced the 2009 nominees: Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin and your reigning MVP Alexander Ovechkin.

The Hart is the most important individual trophy in hockey. Every eligible player who has won the Hart trophy has also been enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Hart Memorial Trophy has been awarded 83 times to 51 different players since its beginnings in 1924.

Here's the break down by team:

16 - Montreal Canadiens
12 - Boston Bruins
9 - Detroit Red Wings
9 - Edmonton Oilers
6 - Chicago Blackhawks
6 - Combined defunct teams
5 - Pittsburgh Penguins
4 - New York Rangers
4 - Philadelphia Flyers
2 - St. Louis Blues
2 - Buffalo Sabres
2 - Colorado Avalanche
2 - Toronto Maple Leafs
1 - New York Islanders
1 - Los Angeles Kings
1 - Tampa Bay Lightning
1 - San Jose Sharks
1 - Washington Capitals

Here's the break down by position:

41 - Center
14 - Right wing
13 - Defense
7 - Left Wing
6 - Goaltender