How Many Canadian Teams Have Won the Presidents’ Trophy?

The Presidents’ Trophy was first awarded in 1986, with the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames winning four straight. 

A Canadian team finishing atop the standings has since become a rare occurrence, as I look at those who achieved the feat.

Which Canadian Teams Won the Presidents’ Trophy?

Teams that win the Presidents’ Trophy usually enter the playoffs with the shortest Stanley Cup odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook. 

However, only a small portion of those teams win the Cup in the same season. Two Canadian teams completed the double, both of which call Alberta home. 

The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are the only two Canadian teams that have never won the Presidents’ Trophy.

The largest gap between Canadian teams securing the Presidents’ Trophy is 13 seasons, with the Calgary Flames winning in 1988-89, followed by the Ottawa Senators in 2002-03.

2024-25 Winnipeg Jets (116 points)

The Winnipeg Jets finished with 116 points, their most in franchise history. They won 54 games, three more than the Maple Leafs and finished five points ahead of the second-place Washington Capitals. 

Connor Hellebuyck won the Vezina Trophy and the Hart Trophy, becoming the first goaltender to accomplish that feat since Carey Price in 2015. 

The Jets lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Dallas Stars. 

2011-12 Vancouver Canucks (111 points)

Despite tying for the seventh-most regulation wins (36), the Vancouver Canucks finished first in the NHL, two points clear of the New York Rangers. 

It was the Canucks’ second consecutive Presidents’ Trophy, but that winning formula in the regular season didn’t extend into the postseason. They lost 4-1 in the first round to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.

2010-11 Vancouver Canucks (117 points)

In 2010-11, the Canucks enjoyed their best regular season in franchise history. Their 117 points were 10 better than the second-place Capitals. 

The Canucks had the most regulation wins (46), the most wins (50), the most goals per game (3.15), and the fewest goals against (2.20). 

The campaign ended in heartbreak, though, as the team lost to the Boston Bruins in one of the best Stanley Cup Finals ever.

2002-03 Ottawa Senators (113 points)

The Senators assembled their joint-best campaign in 2002-03, finishing two points ahead of the Stars and winning their only Presidents’ Trophy. 

They tied for the most wins at home (28) and on the road (24), but eventually lost to the Eastern Conference’s second-best team in the conference final. The New Jersey Devils beat them in seven games and later won the Stanley Cup.   

The Senators also finished with 113 points in 2005-06, but didn’t finish first overall. That honour went to the Detroit Red Wings. 

1988-89 Calgary Flames (117 points)

The 1988-89 Flames were one of two teams on this list to cap off their Presidents’ Trophy with a Stanley Cup. 

It was inarguably the Flames’ best campaign in franchise history, as it marked their only Stanley Cup triumph and their biggest regular-season point haul. 

They finished two points ahead of the Canadiens, who they beat in the Stanley Cup Final.

1987-88 Calgary Flames (105 points)

The Flames’ first of two successive Presidents’ Trophies came in 1987-88, when they finished the season with 105 points, two points ahead of the Canadiens. 

They scored the most goals per game (4.96) and had the best power play (28.5%). The Flames met their match in the postseason, though, losing in four straight to the Oilers in the second round.  

1986-87 Edmonton Oilers (106 points)

The 1986-87 Oilers capped off their first-place regular season by winning the Stanley Cup. They edged the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup Final and the regular season. 

It was the Oilers’ second straight Presidents’ Trophy, and they remain just one of two Canadian teams to do the Stanley Cup and Presidents’ Trophy double. 

1985-86 Edmonton Oilers (119 points)

The Oilers secured the inaugural Presidents’ Trophy in 1985-86, amassing 119 points in the regular season. That point haul was nine better than the second-place Flyers. 

Despite being the cream of the regular-season crop, the Oilers fell to the Flames 4-3 in the second round of the playoffs.