As much as hockey is arguably the ultimate team professional sport, they are still some prestigious individual accolades to be won. This includes the Art Ross Trophy, which is given annually to the player who leads the NHL in scoring over the course of a season and has been awarded since 1947-48.
Elmer Lach of the Montreal Canadiens was the inaugural winner of the award. However, the Edmonton Oilers have a long and distinguished association with the trophy, despite only joining the NHL in 1979-80. Here are some interesting facts and figures for new and existing fans alike, involving the Oilers and the Art Ross Trophy:
1) The Great One
No surprise that we begin with Wayne Gretzky, who has won the Art Ross Trophy a record 10 times. This includes seven times with the Oilers, which were in consecutive seasons -- also an NHL record -- between 1980-81 and 1986-87. He would finally have his streak ended by Mario Lemieux in 1987-88. On the subject of Lemieux, he is tied second all-time alongside Gordie Howe, with six Art Ross Trophies each.
2) The other Great One
Next we come to Connor McDavid, who may or may not equal Gretzky's overall record of 10, but certainly has an excellent chance of catching his seven with the Oilers, which would also put him all alone in second place. As of right now McDavid has five Art Ross Trophies, including three in a row between 2020-21 and 2022-23. His five are tied for fourth all-time, alongside Phil Esposito and Jaromir Jagr. (McDavid also joined Gretzky as the only players to win multiple Art Ross Trophies by the age of 21.)
3) A proud addition to Oilers history
Leon Draisaitl can proudly hold his head high as the only other Oiler to win an Art Ross Trophy during the team's proud history. He achieved this in 2019-20, in a special individual season where he also won the Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. Draisaitl would finish with 110 points in total, but you have to wonder how many more he could have produced if not for COVID-19? As a result of the lockdown, he was limited to 71 regular season games. (Of note, he was also the first German to win the Art Ross Trophy.)
4) Most Art Ross Trophies by team
In total, players have won the Art Ross Trophy a combined 13 times while as a member of the Oilers. This is second-most among all NHL teams, behind the Pittsburgh Penguins. That would be the same Penguins who are also one victory ahead of the Oilers for the most consecutive wins in league history, at 17. (The Oilers won their 16 straight this past season, with the streak halted in a 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.)
5) A significant Original Six influence but no Leafs
No surprise really that Original Six franchises feature heavily near the top for most Art Ross Trophies won by team. The Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks are tied third with nine each. They are then followed by the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings, who are tied fourth with seven apiece. (Even though Joe Thornton started the 2005-06 campaign with the Bruins, he finished it with the San Jose Sharks, so the Sharks technically get the Art Ross Trophy for that particular season.)
Other notes
In total, 15 different NHL teams have combined to win the total of 76 Art Ross trophies as of the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. Bobby Orr is the only defenceman to win the award, in 1969-70 and 1974-75. Jagr holds the record for most wins by a non-Canadian with his five. Patrick Kane is the only American to win, in 2015-16.