2002–03 NHL season facts for kids

The 2002–03 NHL season was an exciting year for ice hockey! It was the 86th regular season for the National Hockey League (NHL). Thirty teams from across North America played 82 games each, hoping to make it to the playoffs.

The biggest prize, the Stanley Cup, was won by the New Jersey Devils. They played a thrilling seven-game series against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and won 4–3. This season was also special because it was the last time the NHL used its old system for home and away jerseys.

Regular Season Highlights

The regular season is when all the teams play against each other to earn points. Teams get points for winning games or for losing in overtime. The teams with the most points get to move on to the playoffs!

Eastern Conference Teams

The Eastern Conference had many strong teams. Here are the top teams from each division and how they finished:

• Atlantic Division: The New Jersey Devils were champions with 108 points. The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders also made it to the playoffs.
• Northeast Division: The Ottawa Senators were the best team in the entire league, finishing with 113 points! The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins also qualified for the playoffs.
• Southeast Division: The Tampa Bay Lightning won their division with 93 points. The Washington Capitals also earned a playoff spot.

Western Conference Teams

The Western Conference also had some amazing teams battling it out.

• Central Division: The Detroit Red Wings led this division with 110 points. The St. Louis Blues also made the playoffs.
• Northwest Division: The Colorado Avalanche were strong, earning 105 points. The Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild, and Edmonton Oilers all made it to the playoffs from this division.
• Pacific Division: The Dallas Stars were the top team in the West with 111 points. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim also secured a playoff spot.

Top Players and Scorers

Many players had incredible seasons, scoring lots of goals and assists. Here are the top players who earned the most points during the regular season:

Peter Forsberg of the Colorado Avalanche was the top scorer with 106 points! He also won the Hart Memorial Trophy for being the league's most valuable player.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

The famous Stanley Cup trophy.

The playoffs are the most exciting part of the NHL season! Teams play a series of games, and the first team to win four games moves on. It's a knockout tournament until only one team is left to hoist the Stanley Cup.

Playoff Journey to the Finals

The playoffs started with 16 teams, 8 from each conference. They battled through three rounds: the Conference Quarterfinals, Conference Semifinals, and Conference Finals.

The Stanley Cup Finals

The final series was a thrilling battle between the New Jersey Devils from the East and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim from the West. Both teams played their hardest, leading to a seven-game series.

The Devils won the first two games at home. But the Mighty Ducks fought back, winning the next two games in Anaheim, including two exciting overtime wins! The series went back and forth, with each team winning games. Finally, in Game 7, the New Jersey Devils won the game 3-0, becoming the 2003 Stanley Cup Champions!

Even though the Mighty Ducks lost, their goalie, Jean-Sébastien Giguère, played incredibly well throughout the playoffs. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs, which is rare for a player on the losing team!

Playoff Scoring Leaders

Here are the top players who scored the most points during the intense playoff games:

NHL Awards

At the end of the season, the NHL gives out special awards to recognize the best players, coaches, and teams. The 2003 NHL Awards ceremony was held in Toronto.

• Presidents' Trophy: Awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season. Won by the Ottawa Senators.
• Prince of Wales Trophy: Given to the Eastern Conference playoff champion. Won by the New Jersey Devils.
• Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Given to the Western Conference playoff champion. Won by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
• Art Ross Memorial Trophy: For the player with the most points in the regular season. Won by Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche).
• Hart Memorial Trophy: For the league's most valuable player. Won by Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche).
• Conn Smythe Trophy: For the most valuable player in the playoffs. Won by Jean-Sébastien Giguère (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim).
• Vezina Trophy: For the best goalie. Won by Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils).
• Calder Memorial Trophy: For the best rookie (first-year player). Won by Barret Jackman (St. Louis Blues).
• Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy: For the player who scores the most goals. Won by Milan Hejduk (Colorado Avalanche).

All-Star Teams

The NHL also picks the best players for "All-Star Teams" at the end of the season. These are like dream teams made up of the top players in each position.

Images for kids

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  2003 Stanley Cup playoffs logo