Jordan Staal wins 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy, matches 70-year Stanley Cup Final record

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal added another milestone to his remarkable career by capturing the 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The honor came after Carolina sealed its championship run with a 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday night.

At 37 years old, Staal delivered one of the most memorable playoff performances in recent NHL history. Entering the decisive game, he had already scored in five consecutive Stanley Cup Final contests, matching a record that had stood untouched for seven decades. He finished the championship series with six goals and contributed a total of 12 playoff points, adding four assists to his scoring tally.



The veteran center also made history by becoming the oldest player ever to receive the Conn Smythe Trophy. His leadership and consistency proved invaluable throughout Carolina's postseason journey, helping guide the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship since 2006.

"I learned a lot about perseverance and trusting God," Staal said in a postgame interview. "It's been such a grind.

"I just wanted to win so bad."

"This is something I've been going after ever since we got the first one," Staal further said. "You want to win it again and again and again."


Staal's latest achievement adds to an already distinguished career. Now in his 14th season with Carolina after spending the first six years of his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he recorded 20 goals and 16 assists during the 2025-26 regular season. The championship was the second Stanley Cup of his career, coming 17 years after he lifted the trophy as a member of Pittsburgh. That span between Stanley Cup victories is the longest ever recorded in NHL history.

The Conn Smythe Trophy is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is presented annually to the player deemed most valuable during the playoffs. The award is named after legendary Toronto hockey executive Conn Smythe, whose influence helped shape the modern NHL.

Staal now joins an elite group of playoff MVPs that includes hockey icons such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Roy, Steve Yzerman, and Alex Ovechkin. His record-setting playoff run ensured that his name will be remembered alongside some of the greatest players in NHL history.