NEW YORK (April 30, 2024) – Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber and New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes are the three finalists for the 2023‑24 Calder Memorial Trophy, 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.

Following are the finalists, in alphabetical order:

Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

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.

Brock Faber, D, Minnesota Wild

Faber, the 45th overall selection from the 2020 NHL Draft (by LAK), placed third among rookies with 8-39—47 while skating in all 82 contests. He topped rookies in both average (24:58) and total (2,047:53) time on ice – the latter nearly 300 minutes more than the next-closest player and the highest single-season figure by a rookie since the statistic began being recorded in 1997-98. Faber also ranked among the top 2023-24 rookie performers in blocked shots (1st; 150), assists (t-1st; 39), power-play assists (3rd; 13), power-play points (3rd; 16), power-play goals (t-6th; 3) and shots on goal (8th; 136). He set single-season franchise records for assists by a rookie (ahead of Calen Addison’s 26 in 2022-23) and points by a rookie defenseman (besting Filip Kuba’s 30 in 2000-01), while also establishing a team mark for the longest point steak by a rookie blueliner (Jan. 15-25: 2-7—9 in 6 GP). The 21-year-old Faber is the second player in Wild history who has been voted as a finalist for the Calder Trophy and is vying to join teammate Kirill Kaprizov (2020-21) as a winner.

Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils

Hughes finished second among rookies with 9-38—47 while also appearing in all 82 games. His 47 points marked the second-most by a rookie defenseman in franchise history (behind Barry Beck’s 60 in 1977-78 w/ CLR), while his 38 assists shared second place (after Will Butcher’s 39 in 2017-18). Hughes also topped all 2023-24 rookies, forwards and defensemen, with 21 power-play assists and 25 power-play points – the most by a rookie blueliner in either category since his oldest brother Quinn Hughes posted 22 and 25, respectively, in 2019-20 (w/ VAN). The fourth overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft additionally finished among the 2023-24 rookie leaders in total time on ice (2nd; 1,760: 50), takeaways (2nd; 42), power-play goals (t-2nd; 4), assists (3rd; 38) and shots on goal (9th; 135). The 20-year-old Hughes, the Devils’ first Calder Trophy finalist since Adam Henrique placed third in voting in 2011-12, is looking to join Scott Gomez (1999‑00) and Martin Brodeur (1993-94) as the third winner in franchise history. He also follows his brother Quinn(2nd in 2019‑20) as a Calder Trophy finalist, making the duo the first brothers in NHL history voted as finalists for the award.

History

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

Announcement Schedule

The series of NHL Trophy finalist announcements continues Wednesday, May 1, when the three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy will be unveiled.

Source: nhl.com