NHL Announces Calder Memorial Trophy Finalist

The National Hockey League announced the nominees for the Calder Memorial Trophy for the Rookie of the Year on Monday. 

The top three finalist who were voted on by Professional Hockey Writers Association are from the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, Chicago Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin and 2015 first overall pick and Edmonton Oilers forward, Connor McDavid.

Gostisbehere, 23 years of age is the first South Florida born and raised NHL player. During this past season his 17 goals were the most by a rookie defenseman since Dion Phaneuf scored 20 during the 2005-2006 season. 

The Ghost, the nickname he is known by, led all rookie defensemen in goals, assists (29) and points (46) in 64 games. His eight power play goals and 22 power play points were tops in the league as well. 

Gostisbehere’s four overtime goals, set an NHL rookie record as well as tied the most by a defenseman in one season. His 15 game point streak, was a new rookie defenseman record for the league. 

No Flyers player has ever won the Calder Trophy and Gostisbehere is the first finalist for Philadelphia since Mikael Renberg in 1994. 

McDavid, 19 years of age, was fourth in the league amongst rookies with 48 points, despite playing only 45 games during the 2015-2016 season due to an injury. He missed three months with a broken clavicle, sustained on November 3. 

His 1.07 points-per-game, was third in the league amongst all skaters that played in at least 40 games. The first pick this past year’s entry draft, had 12 multipoint games, which includes a five-point night against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 11. The performance made him the ninth youngest player with a five-point game. 

No Oilers player has ever won the Calder. Their last finalist for the Calder was Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2012. 

After spending seven seasons in Russia, Panarin, 24, signed with the Blackhawks on May 1 2015. He led all rookies in points with 77. Which also helped tie him for ninth overall in the league. 

Panarin was the rookie leader in goals (30), assists (47) power play points (24) and game winning goals (7). He became the fourth Blackhawks rookie with 30 goals and the first since Eric Daze lit the lamp 30 times in 1995-1996. 

With his hat trick on February 17 against the New York Rangers, he also became the first Hawks rookie to accomplish the feat since Tyler Arnason had one in 2002-2003.  Panarin is looking to become the first Chicago rookie to win the Calder since Patrick Kane won it in 2008.      

The three future stars will find who will get to take home the hardware at the 2016 NHL Awards at the Hardrock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 22.