KINGS ANNUAL TEAM AWARDS
The Los Angeles Kings organization gives out nine Annual Team Awards to their players every season. The awards are Most Valuable Player ("Bill Libby Memorial Award"), Best Newcomer ("Mark Bavis Memorial Award"), Outstanding Defenseman and Best Defensive Player as voted by the Kings Media; Most Inspirational Player ("Ace Bailey Memorial Award") and Unsung Hero, as voted by the Kings Players; Community Service Award, as selected by the Kings Care Foundation; and the Kings Most Popular Player award, which is selected by the Kings Booster Club.
An award is also given out to the team's leading scorer, which goes to the player who leads the club in points each year. Below is the history of each award, complete with a list of each year's winner:
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
"BILL LIBBY MEMORIAL AWARD"
The Bill Libby Memorial Award is named after former Los Angeles sportswriter Bill Libby, who passed away on June 16, 1984. The Kings media determines via vote which King was the team's most valuable player upon the conclusion of each season. |
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| 1967-68 |
Eddie Joyal |
| 1968-69 |
Gerry Desjardins |
| 1969-70 |
Ross Lonsberry |
| 1970-71 |
Juha Widing |
| 1971-72 |
Gilles Marotte |
| 1972-73 |
Rogie Vachon |
| 1973-74 |
Rogie Vachon |
| 1974-75 |
Rogie Vachon |
| 1975-76 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1976-77 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1977-78 |
Butch Goring |
| 1978-79 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1979-80 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1980-81 |
Mario Lessard |
| 1981-82 |
Marcel Dionne
Dave Taylor |
| 1982-83 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1983-84 |
Charlie Simmer |
| 1984-85 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1985-86 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1986-87 |
Roland Melanson |
| 1987-88 |
Jimmy Carson |
| 1988-89 |
Wayne Gretzky |
| 1989-90 |
Wayne Gretzky |
| 1990-91 |
Wayne Gretzky |
| 1991-92 |
Kelly Hrudey |
| 1992-93 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 1993-94 |
Wayne Gretzky |
| 1994-95 |
Kelly Hrudey |
| 1995-96 |
Dimitri Khristich |
| 1996-97 |
Dimitri Khristich |
| 1997-98 |
Rob Blake |
| 1998-99 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 1999-00 |
Rob Blake |
| 2000-01 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 2001-02 |
Jason Allison |
| 2002-03 |
Ziggy Palffy |
| 2003-04 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Lubomir Visnovsky |
| 2006-07 |
Michael Cammalleri |
| 2007-08 |
Anze Kopitar |
| 2008-09 |
Dustin Brown |
| 2009-10 |
Anze Kopitar |
| 2010-11 |
Anze Kopitar |
|
 |
| Marcel Dionne was named the Kings' MVP a franchise-best eight times. |
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| Wayne Gretzky won the award four times, including three straight from 1988-91. |
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| Anze Kopitar won the award in 2007-08. |
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OUTSTANDING DEFENSEMAN
The Kings media also vote on whom they feel to be the Kings Most Outstanding Defenseman over the course of each season. The first award was given out during the 1976-77 season. |
|
| 1976-77 |
Gary Sargent |
| 1977-78 |
Randy Manery |
| 1978-79 |
Randy Manery |
| 1979-80 |
Doug Halward |
| 1980-81 |
Dave Lewis |
| 1981-82 |
Larry Murphy |
| 1982-83 |
Jay Wells |
| 1983-84 |
Jay Wells |
| 1984-85 |
Mark Hardy |
| 1985-86 |
Jay Wells |
| 1986-87 |
Mark Hardy |
| 1987-88 |
Tom Laidlaw |
| 1988-89 |
Steve Duchesne |
| 1989-90 |
Tim Watters |
| 1990-91 |
Rob Blake |
| 1991-92 |
Rob Blake |
| 1992-93 |
Rob Blake |
| 1993-94 |
Rob Blake |
| 1994-95 |
Darryl Sydor |
| 1995-96 |
Steven Finn |
| 1996-97 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 1997-98 |
Rob Blake |
| 1998-99 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 1999-00 |
Rob Blake |
| 2000-01 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2001-02 |
Aaron Miller |
| 2002-03 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2003-04 |
Lubomir Visnovsky |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Lubomir Visnovsky |
| 2006-07 |
Lubomir Visnovsky |
| 2007-08 |
Jack Johnson |
| 2008-09 |
Drew Doughty |
| 2009-10 |
Drew Doughty |
| 2010-11 |
Drew Doughty |
|
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| Rob Blake has been named the Kings best defenseman eight times, the most in franchise history. |
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| Rookie Jack Johnson was named the Kings Most Outstanding Defenseman in 2007-08. |
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DEFENSIVE PLAYER
The Best Defensive Player award is given out to any player (forward, defenseman or goaltender) whom the media feels exhibits the best prowess on the defensive end of the ice. The award has been given out since the 1988-89 season. |
|
| 1988-89 |
Tom Laidlaw |
| 1989-90 |
Steve Kasper |
| 1990-91 |
Steve Kasper |
| 1991-92 |
John McIntyre |
| 1992-93 |
Jari Kurri |
| 1993-94 |
Jari Kurri |
| 1994-95 |
Pat Conacher |
| 1995-96 |
Kevin Todd |
| 1996-97 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 1997-98 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 1998-99 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 1999-00 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2000-01 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2001-02 |
Aaron Miller |
| 2002-03 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2003-04 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2006-07 |
Derek Armstrong |
| 2007-08 |
Patrick O'Sullivan |
| 2008-09 |
Michal Handzus |
| 2009-10 |
Michal Handzus |
| 2010-11 |
Anze Kopitar |
|
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| Mattias Norstrom won the award five out of seven years from 1999-06. |
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| Patrick O'Sullivan won the award in 2007-08. |
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MOST POPULAR PLAYER
Determined by the Kings Booster Club, the Kings Most Popular Player award is given to player whom is most popular amongst Kings fans. The first award was given out following the 1968-69 campaign. |
|
| 1968-69 |
Eddie Joyal |
| 1969-70 |
Eddie Joyal |
| 1970-71 |
Gilles Marotte |
| 1971-72 |
Ralph Backstrom |
| 1972-73 |
Butch Goring |
| 1973-74 |
Dan Maloney |
| 1974-75 |
Butch Goring |
| 1975-76 |
Butch Goring |
| 1976-77 |
Rogie Vachon |
| 1977-78 |
Butch Goring |
| 1978-79 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1979-80 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1980-81 |
Charlie Simmer |
| 1981-82 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1982-83 |
No vote |
| 1983-84 |
Bernie Nicholls |
| 1984-85 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1985-86 |
Marcel Dionne |
| 1986-87 |
Jimmy Carson |
| 1987-88 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 1988-89 |
Wayne Gretzky |
| 1989-90 |
Marty McSorley |
| 1990-91 |
Marty McSorley |
| 1991-92 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 1992-93 |
Marty McSorley |
| 1993-94 |
Wayne Gretzky |
| 1994-95 |
Kelly Hrudey |
| 1995-96 |
Eric Lacroix |
| 1996-97 |
Dan Bylsma
Ian Laperriere |
| 1997-98 |
Rob Blake |
| 1998-99 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 1999-00 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 2000-01 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 2001-02 |
Adam Deadmarsh |
| 2002-03 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 2003-04 |
Alexander Frolov |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 2006-07 |
Anze Kopitar |
| 2007-08 |
Dustin Brown |
| 2008-09 |
Dustin Brown |
| 2009-10 |
Dustin Brown |
| 2010-11 |
Anze Kopitar |
|
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| Butch Goring was the Kings Most Popular player four times in six years from 1972-78. |
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| Marty McSorley was Kings Fans favorite three times in the early 90s. |
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| Kings Captain Dustin Brown was the fan favorite in 2007-08 and 2008-09. |
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| Garnet "Ace" Bailey |
MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER
"ACE BAILEY MEMORIAL AWARD"
The Ace Bailey Memorial Award is given out to the Kings Most Inspirational Player and is named after the late Garnet "Ace" Bailey, who spent seven years as the Kings director of pro scouting before passing tragically on Sept. 11, 2001, aboard United Airlines Flight 175 with fellow Kings scout Mark Bavis. The award was first given out following the 1972-73 season and was dedicated to Ace Bailey in 2002. |
|
| 1972-73 |
Rogie Vachon |
| 1973-74 |
Terry Harper |
| 1974-75 |
Bob Nevin |
| 1975-76 |
Bob Nevin |
| 1976-77 |
Butch Goring |
| 1977-78 |
Butch Goring |
| 1978-79 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1979-80 |
Charlie Simmer |
| 1980-81 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1981-82 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1982-83 |
Terry Ruskowski |
| 1983-84 |
Anders Hakansson |
| 1984-85 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1985-86 |
Dave "Tiger" Williams |
| 1986-87 |
Dave "Tiger" Williams |
| 1987-88 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1988-89 |
John Tonelli |
| 1989-90 |
John Tonelli |
| 1990-91 |
Larry Robinson |
| 1991-92 |
Tony Granato |
| 1992-93 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1993-94 |
Pat Conacher |
| 1994-95 |
Kelly Hrudey |
| 1995-96 |
Tony Granato |
| 1996-97 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 1997-98 |
Rob Blake |
| 1998-99 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 1999-00 |
Garry Galley |
| 2000-01 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 2001-02 |
Ziggy Palffy |
| 2002-03 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 2003-04 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2006-07 |
Tom Kostopoulos |
| 2007-08 |
Dustin Brown |
| 2008-09 |
Sean O'Donnell |
| 2009-10 |
Matt Greene |
| 2010-11 |
Matt Greene |
|
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| Dave Taylor won the award a franchise-best six times. |
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| Kelly Hrudey in 1994-95 and Rogie Vachon in 1972-73 are the only two goaltenders to win the award. |
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| Ian Laperriere's physical play was an inspiration to his team. Lappy won the award three times. |
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| Mark Bavis |
BEST NEWCOMER
"MARK BAVIS MEMORIAL AWARD"
This award is given out to the member of the organization that makes the greatest impact as a newcomer. The first winner of the award was former Kings owner Bruce McNall, who is the only non-player to ever win the award. In 2002, the award was named after the late Mark Bavis, a first-year Kings scout who passed away tragically aboard United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston’s Logan Airport on Sept. 11, 2001. |
|
| 1988-89 |
Bruce McNall |
| 1989-90 |
Todd Elik |
| 1990-91 |
Daniel Berthiaume |
| 1991-92 |
Corey Millen |
| 1992-93 |
Darryl Sydor
Alexei Zhitnik |
| 1993-94 |
Robert Lang |
| 1994-95 |
Rick Tocchet |
| 1995-96 |
Vitali Yachmenev |
| 1996-97 |
Stephane Fiset |
| 1997-98 |
Jozef Stumpel |
| 1998-99 |
Donald Audette |
| 1999-00 |
Ziggy Palffy |
| 2000-01 |
Lubomir Visnovsky |
| 2001-02 |
Jason Allison |
| 2002-03 |
Alexander Frolov |
| 2003-04 |
Trent Klatt |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Pavol Demitra |
| 2006-07 |
Anze Kopitar |
| 2007-08 |
Jack Johnson |
| 2008-09 |
Drew Doughty |
| 2009-10 |
Ryan Smyth |
| 2010-11 |
Willie Mitchell |
|
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| Palffy scored 27-39=66 in 64 games in his first season in LA (1999-00) after coming over from the Islanders in a trade. |
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| Anze Kopitar had the fifth-most points ever by a Kings rookie in 2006-07. |
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LEADING SCORER
This award is given annually to the team leader in points scored. The inaugural award was given out in 1967-68. |
|
| 1967-68 |
Eddie Joyal
(23-34=57) |
| 1968-69 |
Eddie Joyal
(33-19=52) |
| 1969-70 |
Ross Lonsberry
(20-22=42) |
| 1970-71 |
Juha Widing
(25-40=65) |
| 1971-72 |
Juha Widing
(27-28=55) |
| 1972-73 |
Juha Widing
(16-54=70) |
| 1973-74 |
Butch Goring
(28-33=61) |
| 1974-75 |
Bob Nevin
(31-41=72) |
| 1975-76 |
Marcel Dionne
(40-54=94) |
| 1976-77 |
Marcel Dionne
(53-69=122) |
| 1977-78 |
Marcel Dionne
(36-43=79) |
| 1978-79 |
Marcel Dionne
(59-71=130) |
| 1979-80 |
Marcel Dionne
(53-84=137) |
| 1980-81 |
Marcel Dionne
(58-77=135) |
| 1981-82 |
Marcel Dionne
(50-67=117) |
| 1982-83 |
Marcel Dionne
(56-51=107) |
| 1983-84 |
Bernie Nicholls
(41-54=95) |
| 1984-85 |
Marcel Dionne
(46-80=126) |
| 1985-86 |
Bernie Nicholls
(36-61=97) |
| 1986-87 |
Luc Robitaille
(45-39=84) |
| 1987-88 |
Luc Robitaille
(53-58=111) |
| 1988-89 |
Wayne Gretzky
(54-114=168) |
| 1989-90 |
Wayne Gretzky
(40-102=142) |
| 1990-91 |
Wayne Gretzky
(41-122=163) |
| 1991-92 |
Wayne Gretzky
(31-90=121 |
| 1992-93 |
Luc Robitaille
(63-62=125) |
| 1993-94 |
Wayne Gretzky
(38-92=130) |
| 1994-95 |
Wayne Gretzky
(11-37=48) |
| 1995-96 |
Dimitri Khristich
(27-37=64) |
| Note: In 1995-96, Wayne Gretzky led the team with 81 points (15-66=81), but was traded to the St. Louis Blues after 62 games. |
| 1996-97 |
Dimitri Khristich
(19-37=56) |
| 1997-98 |
Jozef Stumpel
(21-58=79) |
| 1998-99 |
Luc Robitaille
(39-35=74) |
| 1999-00 |
Luc Robitaille
(36-38=74) |
| 2000-01 |
Ziggy Palffy
(38-51=89) |
| 2001-02 |
Jason Allison
(19-55=74) |
| 2002-03 |
Ziggy Palffy
(37-48=85) |
| 2003-04 |
Luc Robitaille
(22-29=51) |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Lubomir Visnovsky
(17-50=67) |
| 2006-07 |
Michael Cammalleri
(34-46-80) |
| 2007-08 |
Anze Kopitar
(32-45=77) |
| 2008-09 |
Anze Kopitar
(27-39=66) |
| 2009-10 |
Anze Kopitar
(34-46=80) |
| 2010-11 |
Anze Kopitar
(25-48=73) |
|
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| Eddie Joyal led the Kings in scoring in each of the franchise's first two seasons. |
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| Juha Widing led the Kings in scoring three straight seasons in the early 1970s. |
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| Luc Robitaille led the Kings in scoring six times over his Hall of Fame career. |
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| In 2005-06, Lubomir Visnovsky became the first Kings defenseman to lead the team in scoring. |
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| Anze Kopitar led the team in scoring in 2007-08, with 32-45=77. |
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UNSUNG HERO
This award is determined by the Kings players and awarded to the player that contributed the most to the team yet did not get the proper recognition for their contributions. The award was first given out in 1968. |
|
| 1968-69 |
Brent Hughes |
| 1969-70 |
Jimmy Peters |
| 1970-71 |
Paul Curtis |
| 1971-72 |
Norm Mackie (trainer) |
| 1972-73 |
Larry Brown |
| 1973-74 |
Frank St. Marseille |
| 1974-75 |
Gary Edwards |
| 1975-76 |
Neil Komadoski |
| 1976-77 |
Mike Murphy |
| 1977-78 |
Pete Stemkowski |
| 1978-79 |
Rob Palmer |
| 1979-80 |
Mike Murphy |
| 1980-81 |
Larry Murphy |
| 1981-82 |
John Paul Kelly |
| 1982-83 |
John Paul Kelly |
| 1983-84 |
Anders Hakansson |
| 1984-85 |
Phil Sykes |
| 1985-86 |
Bryan Erickson
Phil Sykes |
| 1986-87 |
Roland Melanson |
| 1987-88 |
Tom Laidlaw |
| 1988-89 |
Tim Watters |
| 1989-90 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1990-91 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1991-92 |
Charlie Huddy |
| 1992-93 |
Pat Conacher |
| 1993-94 |
Kelly Hrudey |
| 1994-95 |
Pat Conacher |
| 1995-96 |
Steven Finn |
| 1996-97 |
Byron Dafoe |
| 1997-98 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 1998-99 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 1999-00 |
Mattias Norstrom |
| 2000-01 |
Jaroslav Modry |
| 2001-02 |
Aaron Miller |
| 2002-03 |
Derek Armstrong |
| 2003-04 |
Trent Klatt |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Craig Conroy |
| 2006-07 |
Tom Kostopoulos |
| 2007-08 |
Jeff Giuliano |
| 2008-09 |
Michal Handzus |
| 2009-10 |
Michal Handzus |
| 2010-11 |
Matt Greene |
|
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| Brent Hughes was the inaugural winner of the award in 1968-69. |
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| Mattias Norstrom won the award three years straight from 1997-2000. |
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| Jeff Giuliano won the award in 2007-08, after providing high energy from the fourth line in 53 games. |
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COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Community Service award is determined by the Kings Care Foundation and given annually to the Kings player that exemplifies strong community outreach by actively working with local youth organizations and community groups to increase awareness and raise funds to support the Kings community signature initiatives – education, health-related causes and recreation. |
|
| 1988-89 |
Jim Fox |
| 1989-90 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1990-91 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1991-92 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 1992-93 |
Tony Granato
Marty McSorley
Luc Robitaille
Dave Taylor |
| 1993-94 |
Dave Taylor |
| 1994-95 |
Tony Granato |
| 1995-96 |
Rob Blake
Eric Lacroix |
| 1996-97 |
Dan Bylsma
Byron Dafoe |
| 1997-98 |
Luc Robitaille |
| 1998-99 |
Rob Blake
Sean O’Donnell |
| 1999-00 |
Rob Blake |
| 2000-01 |
Kelly Buchberger
Stu Grimson |
| 2001-02 |
Jamie Storr |
| 2002-03 |
Craig Johnson
Jamie Storr |
| 2003-04 |
Ian Laperriere |
| 2004-05 |
DNP – Lockout |
| 2005-06 |
Jeremy Roenick |
| 2006-07 |
Derek Armstrong |
| 2007-08 |
Derek Armstrong |
| 2008-09 |
Dustin Brown |
| 2009-10 |
Dustin Brown |
| 2010-11 |
Dustin Brown |
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| Not only was Jim Fox active in the community as a player from 1980-90, he was Director of Community Relations from 1990-94 and is still involved in the community in his current role as television color analyst. |
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| Derek Armstrong won the award in 2007-08. |
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