Vezina

Vezina is a surname of French origin. The term is most widely encountered in professional ice hockey, where it is associated with the Vezina Trophy, an annual NHL award named in honor of Georges Vezina.

Georges Vezina (1887–1926) was a Canadian goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens. He was renowned for his reflexes and resilience, and his death from tuberculosis in 1926 led the NHL to honor him by naming a trophy after him.

The Vezina Trophy was first awarded in 1927. Initially, it recognized the goaltender(s) on the team allowing the fewest goals during the regular season. In 1981–82 the award's criteria shifted to honor the league's top goaltender as voted by NHL general managers.

Many notable goaltenders have won the Vezina, including Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek, Martin Brodeur, Carey Price, and Henrik Lundqvist.

Beyond the trophy, Vezina is a surname carried by other individuals in sports and various fields. The name remains most closely tied to the award and to Georges Vezina’s legacy in hockey.