Presidents' Trophy Prior to 1926–27, the Stanley Cup was then awarded as a "World Series" trophy between the champions of the NHL and a rival league (first the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, then the Western Canada Hockey League). Instead, the NHL championship trophy during this era was the O'Brien Trophy. From 1917–18 to , the NHL season was split, requiring separate standings, with a single playoff series between the winner of the first half of the season and the winner of the second half of the season. After the 1925–26 season, the NHL became the only league left competing for the Stanley
Hart Memorial Trophy The Hart Memorial Trophy is named in honour of Canadian Dr. David Hart. Dr. Hart, who donated the original trophy to the NHL, was the father of Cecil Hart, a former Coach and General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens. The trophy was first awarded at the conclusion of the 1923–24 NHL season to Frank Nighbor of the Ottawa Senators. The original "Hart Trophy" was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1960, and the NHL began presenting a new trophy, which was dubbed the "Hart Memorial Trophy" in its place. With the exceptions of Tommy Anderson, Al Rollins, and