The Governor's Trophy was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the most outstanding defenseman as judged by league coaches. It was first awarded in 1965, and renamed the Larry D. Gordon Trophy in 1999. It was awarded 38 times, to 33 different players; Jim Burton was a three-time recipient,
| Governor's Trophy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Player | Team | |
| 1964-65 | Fort Wayne Komets | ||
| 1965-66 | |||
| 1966-67 | |||
| 1967-68 | Muskegon Mohawks | ||
| 1968-69 | Dayton Gems | ||
| 1969-70 | |||
| 1970-71 | |||
| 1971-72 | Fort Wayne Komets | ||
| 1972-73 | |||
| 1973-74 | Dave Simpson | Dayton Gems | |
| 1974-75 | Muskegon Mohawks | ||
| 1975-76 | Muskegon Mohawks | ||
| 1976-77 | |||
| 1977-78 | |||
| 1978-79 | |||
| 1979-80 | Saginaw Gears | ||
| 1980-81 | Saginaw Gears | ||
| 1981-82 | Saginaw Gears | ||
| 1982-83 | Fort Wayne Komets | ||
| Milwaukee Admirals | |||
| 1983-84 | Milwaukee Admirals | ||
| 1984-85 | |||
| 1985-86 | Fort Wayne Komets | ||
| 1986-87 | Fort Wayne Komets | ||
| 1987-88 | |||
| 1988-89 | Milwaukee Admirals | ||
| 1989-90 | |||
| 1990-91 | Fort Wayne Komets | ||
| 1991-92 | Fort Wayne Komets | ||
| 1992-93 | |||
| 1993-94 | Peoria Rivermen | ||
| 1994-95 | |||
| 1995-96 | Las Vegas Thunder | ||
| 1996-97 | |||
| 1997-98 | Long Beach Ice Dogs | ||
| Larry D. Gordon Trophy | |||
| Season | Player | Team | |
| 1998-99 | |||
| 1999-00 | |||
| 2000-01 | Manitoba Moose | ||