The Art Ross Trophy was first awarded in 1947-48 to the National Hockey League’s highest point-getter. In over 60 years since, there have been just three ties atop the NHL’s scoring race. The first factor in determining the winner in a tie is total goals. In all three cases, it was never necessary to go beyond total goals to determine the Art Ross Trophy recipient.

In 1961-62, Bobby Hull of the Chicago Black Hawks and Andy Bathgate of the New York Rangers both finished the season with 84 points. Both played all 70 regular season games. However, Hull scored 50 goals while adding just 34 assists. Bathgate was a playmaker, scoring 28 goals and contributing 56 assists. Both were denied the Hart Trophy as MVP but both were selected to the First All-Star Team.

Andy Bathgate and Bobby Hull are both honoured in the Hockey Hall of Fame with Bathgate being inducted in 1978 and Hull in 1983. 1962 was the second of three Art Ross Trophies for Bobby Hull. Bathgate came close a few times without success. He was, however, the Hart Trophy recipient in 1958-59.

1979-80 was a major year of change for the NHL. It marked the first year that the four remaining World Hockey Association teams merged with the league. It also marked the rookie season of Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky and Marcel Dionne ended the season both with 137 points. Dionne won the Art Ross on 53 goals to Gretzky’s 51. It was one of eight times during Marcel’s career that he would exceed 100 points but the only time he’d lead the league. For Gretzky, he topped 100 points 14 of the next 15 seasons and would win the Art Ross Trophy ten times.

In 1979-80, Gretzky’s Oilers were swept in the first round by the Philadelphia Flyers and Dionne’s Kings also lost in the opening round 3-1 to the New York Islanders. Ironically, it would be the Flyers and Islanders that would meet in the Stanley Cup finals with the Islanders winning in six.

1994-95 became the first NHL season shortened by labour issues. After the compact 48 game schedule was over, Jaromir Jagr of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Eric Lindros of the Philadelphia Flyers were both tied with 70 points. Jagr, who played all 48 games, won the Art Ross with his 32 goals, three more than Lindros. Lindros, who played two less games, won the Hart Trophy as NHL most valuable player. 1994-95 would prove to be the first of five Art Ross Trophy victories for Jagr. Both would later be teammates together on the New York Rangers during the 2003-04 season.