The Conn Smythe Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player during the ECHL's Stanley Cup playoffs. The winner is chosen by the Chairman of the ECHL GM Awards Committee and is not necessarily a member of the Cup-winning team. The vote is conducted immediately following the final game in the Stanley Cup Finals. The trophy is handed out prior to the presentation of the Stanley Cup by the commissioner, not during the ECHL Awards the following week.

The trophy was named for the late Conn Smythe (1895-1980), a Hockey Hall of Fame builder and owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The first trophy was awarded to Jean Beliveau of the Montreal Canadiens for his performance in the 1965 Stanley Cup playoffs. The award was purchased by the ECHL prior to the 2004-2005 season.

ECHL4 Conn Smythe Memorial Trophy Winner

STEVE SULLIVAN, C
Tampa Bay Lightning

On a team as stacked as the Tampa Bay Lightning a goal can come from just about anywhere at any time, but in the ECHL4 path to the Cup it was veteran centre Steve Sullivan who stood out amongst his peers as the best of the best. His 14 goals were significantly more than any other ECHLer, and with 15 assists on top of them he would lead the league in points as well, with 29 in only 20 games. Defensively he held a +23 rating, tying him for tops, and never once put his team on the penalty kill. It was pure dominance on a purely dominating team, and it was enough to see Sully hoist the Smythe as the cream of the ECHL4 playoff crop.

Previous Conn Smythe Memorial Trophy Winners
ECHL3 Marc Denis, Boston Bruins
ECHL2 Glen Murray, Tampa Bay Lightning
ECHL1 Patrick Lalime, Chicago Blackhawks