Lester Patrick Trophy

Description: First awarded in 1966, the Lester Patrick Trophy is presented annually “for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.” Players, officials, coaches and executives are eligible recipients.

Voting: Winners are selected by a committee consisting of the Commissioner of the NHL, a governor of the NHL, a representative of the New York Rangers, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Builder’s section, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Player’s section, a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, a member of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association and a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

History: The Lester Patrick Trophy was presented by the New York Rangers in 1966 to honor the late Lester Patrick, longtime general manager and coach, whose teams finished out of the playoffs only once in his first 16 years with the organization.

2025 Winner: Ray Shero (Saint Paul, Minn.), who passed away in April 2025 at age 62, posthumously received the 2025 Lester Patrick Trophy. Shero spent 13 seasons as an NHL general manager, highlighted by guiding the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup in 2009. He also served as GM of the New Jersey Devils, in addition to long stints as an executive with the Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild. Beyond his NHL accomplishments, Shero was an important contributor to USA Hockey’s men’s national team efforts, including helping found the U.S. Men’s National Team Advisory Group in 2007. He served as associate general manager of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and also was involved in selecting 13 different U.S. Men’s National Teams for the IIHF Men’s World Championship.