NEWSLETTER
On Tuesday morning, the NHL announced the three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is given to the league’s rookie of the year. Blackhawks sensation Connor Bedard is among the three players named.
Also named: Minnesota defenseman Brock Faber and New Jersey defenseman Luke Hughes.
Bedard’s ranks among rookies this season:
From the NHL release:
Bedard led or co-led both rookies and the Blackhawks in goals (22), assists (39) and points (61) despite missing 14 games due to injury (68 GP). At 18 years, 276 days on the final day of the campaign, he became the second-youngest player in League history to finish as the rookie leader, outright or tied, in all three categories – behind Nathan MacKinnon in 2013-14 (18 years, 224 days; 24-39—63 in 82 GP w/ COL) – as well as the second-youngest rookie in NHL history to achieve the feat for his team – after Sidney Crosby in 2005-06 (18 years, 254 days; 39‑63—102 in 81 GP w/ PIT). The No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft also became the third-youngest player in League history to score a regular-season overtime goal (Dec. 27 vs. WPG) and the fifth 18-year-old to post a five-point performance (March 12 vs. ANA). Bedard additionally finished among the 2023-24 rookie leaders in shots on goal (1st; 206), takeaways (1st; 47), power-play assists (2nd; 17), power-play points (2nd; 21), power-play goals (t-2nd; 4), game-winning goals (t-4th; 2) and total time on ice (6th; 1,345:16). He is seeking to become the 10th Chicago player to win the Calder Trophy and first since Artemi Panarin in 2015-16.
