James Norris Memorial Trophy—Best Defenseman

The James Norris Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the defenseman who demonstrates the regular season's greatest all around ability in the position. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season, with the winner receives $10,000 USD, and the runners up $6,000  and $4,000. 

The trophy is named after James Norris, former owner of the Detroit Red Wings. Norris was a member of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA).  The MAAA  emblem was a winged wheel to signify their roots in cycling. In 1932 when Norris purchased the Detroit franchise he used his affiliation to rename the team the Detroit Red Wings and adopted the "Winged Cycle" as their emblem. 

Norris later went on to have an ownership position in the Chicago Stadium and also a large interest in Madison Square Garden Corporation. 

Norris’ four children, in loving memory of their father, presented the James Norris Memorial Trophy to the NHL in 1953. 

Only one Oiler to date has brought the Norris trophy home to Edmonton—all-star Paul Coffey won the trophy in 1985 and 1986.

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