The Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award is given each year to a player who shows strong leadership on and off the ice and helps grow the game in his community. It was established in 2006–07 and is named after legendary NHL leader Mark Messier.
In the 2024–25 season, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won the award. In his 20th NHL season and 16th as team captain, Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record on April 6, finishing the season with 897 goals. Despite missing six weeks with a fractured fibula, the 39-year-old scored 44 goals in 65 games, tying Gordie Howe for the most goals in a season by a player aged 39 or older. He helped lead Washington to 111 points and the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Mark Messier Leadership Award Winner List
In 2025, Alex Ovechkin received the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award with the Capitals. Jacob Trouba won in 2024 for the Rangers, and Steven Stamkos earned it in 2023 with the Lightning. Previous winners include Anze Kopitar (2022), Patrice Bergeron (2021), and Mark Giordano (2020). The 2010s featured leaders like Wayne Simmonds, Deryk Engelland, Nick Foligno, Shea Weber, and Jonathan Toews. Chris Chelios was the first to win in 2007.
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Here is the list of Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award Winners:
| Year | Winner | Team |
| 2025 | Alex Ovechkin | Washington Capitals |
| 2024 | Jacob Trouba | New York Rangers |
| 2023 | Steven Stamkos | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 2022 | Anze Kopitar | Los Angeles Kings |
| 2021 | Patrice Bergeron | Boston Bruins |
| 2020 | Mark Giordano | Calgary Flames |
| 2019 | Wayne Simmonds | Nashville Predators |
| 2018 | Deryk Engelland | Vegas Golden Knights |
| 2017 | Nick Foligno | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| 2016 | Shea Weber | Nashville Predators |
| 2015 | Jonathan Toews | Chicago Blackhawks |
| 2014 | Dustin Brown | Los Angeles Kings |
| 2013 | Daniel Alfredsson | Ottawa Senators |
| 2012 | Shane Doan | Phoenix Coyotes |
| 2011 | Zdeno Chara | Boston Bruins |
| 2010 | Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 2009 | Jarome Iginla | Calgary Flames |
| 2008 | Mats Sundin | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 2007 | Chris Chelios | Detroit Red Wings |
FAQs On List of NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award Winners
A. Alex Ovechkin received the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2025.
A. The selection of the winner is Messier's alone.
A. Mark Messier is married to Kim Clark.
A. Mark Messier played 698 games with Wayne Gretzky in his career.
A. Mark Messier owns a hotel in Harbour Island, Bahamas.
