The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League defenceman who demonstrates the greatest ability, by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

The trophy is named in honour of James Norris , owner of the Detroit Red Wings franchise from 1932 until his death in 1952. It was first awarded in 1954.

The first winner was Red Kelly of the Detroit Red Wings. The most frequent winners are Bobby Orr of Boston (eight trophies from 1968 to 1975), Doug Harvey (7, Montreal and New York, 1955-58 and 1960-62), and Ray Bourque (5, Boston, 1987-88, 1990-91 and 1994).

James Norris Memorial Trophy Winners

• 2005, no winner
• 2004, Scott Niedermayer, New Jersey Devils
• 2003, Nicklas Lidström, Detroit Red Wings
• 2002, Nicklas Lidström, Detroit Red Wings
• 2001, Nicklas Lidström, Detroit Red Wings
• 2000, Chris Pronger, St. Louis Blues
• 1999, Al MacInnis, St. Louis Blues
• 1998, Rob Blake, Los Angeles Kings
• 1997, Brian Leetch, New York Rangers
• 1996, Chris Chelios, Chicago Blackhawks
• 1995, Paul Coffey, Detroit Red Wings
• 1994, Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
• 1993, Chris Chelios, Chicago Blackhawks
• 1992, Brian Leetch, New York Rangers
• 1991, Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
• 1990, Ray Bourque Boston Bruins
• 1989, Chris Chelios, Montreal Canadiens
• 1988, Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
• 1987, Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
• 1986, Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers
• 1985, Paul Coffey, Edmonton Oilers
• 1984, Rod Langway, Washington Capitals
• 1983, Rod Langway, Washington Capitals
• 1982, Doug Wilson , Chicago Blackhawks
• 1981, Randy Carlyle , Pittsburgh Penguins
• 1980, Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
• 1979, Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
• 1978, Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
• 1977, Larry Robinson, Montreal Canadiens
• 1976, Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
• 1975, Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1974, Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1973, Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1972, Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1971, Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1970, Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1969, Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1968, Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins
• 1967, Harry Howell , New York Rangers
• 1966, Jacques Laperriere , Montreal Canadiens
• 1965, Pierre Pilote , Chicago Blackhawks
• 1964, Pierre Pilote, Chicago Blackhawks
• 1963, Pierre Pilote, Chicago Blackhawks
• 1962, Doug Harvey, New York Rangers
• 1961, Doug Harvey, Montreal Canadiens
• 1960, Doug Harvey, Montreal Canadiens
• 1959, Tom Johnson , Montreal Canadiens
• 1958, Doug Harvey, Montreal Canadiens
• 1957, Doug Harvey, Montreal Canadiens
• 1956, Doug Harvey, Montreal Canadiens
• 1955, Doug Harvey, Montreal Canadiens
• 1954, Red Kelly, Detroit Red Wings