Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Your Calder Memorial Trophy Finalists

05/02/2016 at 8:21pm EDT

NEW YORK (May 2, 2016) – Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers, forward Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and forward Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks are the three finalists for the 2015-16 Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition,” the National Hockey League announced today.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Calder Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 22, during the 2016 NHL Awards – hosted by actor Will Arnett – at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Following are the finalists for the Calder Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers

Gostisbehere, a third-round selection (78th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, led rookie defensemen in goals (17), assists (29), points (46), power-play goals (8), power-play points (22) and game-winning goals (5) while playing in 64 contests. He also scored four overtime goals, setting a League record for any rookie while matching a single-season record for any defenseman. Gostisbehere posted a 15-game point streak Jan. 19 – Feb. 20 (5-13—18), an NHL record for a rookie defenseman as well as a franchise record for any rookie. He is Philadelphia’s first Calder Trophy finalist since 1993-94 (Mikael Renberg) and is vying to become the first player in team history to capture the award.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

McDavid, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, ranked fourth among rookies with 16-32—48 despite appearing in only 45 games due to injury. His average of 1.07 points per game led all rookies and ranked third in the entire League. McDavid recorded multiple points in 12 of his 45 outings, highlighted by a five-point game Feb. 11 vs. TOR (2-3—5). At 19 years, 29 days, he became the ninth-youngest player in NHL history to register a five-point performance (as well as the third rookie in Oilers history to achieve the feat). McDavid is Edmonton’s first Calder Trophy finalist since 2011-12 (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) and also is attempting to become the first player in club history to win the award.

Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks

Panarin, who signed with the Blackhawks in May 2015, led all rookies in goals (30), assists (47), points (77), power-play goals (t-8), power-play points (24) and game-winning goals (7) while skating in 80 contests. He became the fourth rookie in franchise history to reach the 30-goal milestone and the first to do so since 1995-96 (Eric Daze). That included his first career hat trick Feb. 17 at NYR, the first by any Blackhawks rookie since 2002-03 (Tyler Arnason). Panarin is Chicago’s first Calder Trophy finalist since 2012-13 (Brandon Saad) and is looking to become the first Blackhawks player to win the award since teammate Patrick Kane in 2007-08.

History

From 1936-37 until his death in 1943, NHL President Frank Calder purchased a trophy each year to be given permanently to the NHL’s outstanding rookie. After Calder’s death, the League presented the Calder Trophy in his memory.

Announcement Schedule

The three finalists for NHL Trophies are being announced by NBC Sports in the United States and Sportsnet/TVA Sports in Canada during pregame programming for the Stanley Cup Playoffs through Saturday, May 7. The series of announcements continues on Tuesday, May 3, when the three finalists for the NHL Foundation Player Award will be unveiled.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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