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FIRST-YEAR PHENOMS: A look at every NHL Rookie of the Year, and their top rookie cards
Winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year is often a sign of great things to come for a young player. And sometimes, it is the only career highlight.
Although the NHL was founded in 1917, it did not recognize its top annual rookie until 1933. League president Frank Calder selected the league’s best freshman each season, though the award did not yet bear his name.
Here’s a look at every player who won the NHL’s top rookie honors, their other accomplishments, and a checklist of their rookie cards.
1932-33: Carl Voss, C, Detroit Red Wings
RC: 1937-38 O-Pee-Chee #175; Worldwide Gum #66
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1938); Hockey Hall of Fame (1974)
Voss has a lot of firsts to his name. He was the first to be named the NHL’s top rookie—as well as the first American. And he was the first player to be traded midseason and then win top rookie honors, as he split his first year between the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.
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1933-34: Russ Blinco, C, Montreal Maroons
RC: 1935-36 O-Pee-Chee #75
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1935)
Blinco is the first player from Canada to be named NHL Rookie of the Year.
1934-35: David “Sweeney” Schriner, LW, New York Americans
RC: 1936-37 O-Pee-Chee #98
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1942, 1945); HHOF (1962)
Schriner was technically the first Russian-born player to named rookie of the year. However, he emigrated to Canda when he was young and was raised in Canada.
1935-36: Mike Karakas, G, Chicago Blackhawks
RC: 1936-37 O-Pee-Chee #107
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1938)
Karakas was the first goaltender to win top rookie honors.
CALDER TROPHY
In 1937, Calder started the tradition of giving a trophy to the league’s top rookie. Now known as the Calder Trophy, he purchases a new one each year until his death in 1943.
1936-37: Syl Apps, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 1936-37 O-Pee-Chee #101
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1942, ’47, ’48); Lady Byng (1942)
1937-38: Carl “Cully” Dahlstrom, C, Chicago Blackhawks
RC: 1939-40 O-Pee-Chee #36
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1938)
1938-39: Frank Brimsek, G, Boston Bruins
RC: 1939-40 O-Pee-Chee #97
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1939, ’41); Vezina (1939, ’42); HHOF (1966)
Nicknamed “Mr. Zero,” Brimsek earned 10 shutouts in his rookie year and 40 total over his 10-year career.
1939-40: James “Kilby” Macdonald, LW, New York Rangers
RC: 1939-40 O-Pee-Chee #87
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1940)
1940-41: John Quilty, C, Montreal Canadiens
RC: 1940-41 O-Pee-Chee #106
1941-42: Grant Warwick, RW, New York Rangers
RC: None, though he did appear on several oversized “Bee Hive” mail-away photos.
WAR YEARS
After Calder passed away in 1943, the NHL renamed the award the Calder Memorial Trophy in his honor and had a permanent trophy created. New NHL President Clarence Campbell and other NHL executives selected its recipient each year until 1967.
Since very few hockey cards were released in the 1940s due to World War II, many players who won the Calder during that decade did not get a rookie card until the 1951-52 Parkhurst set.
1942-43: Gaye Stewart, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 1951-52 Parkhurst #99
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1947)
1943-44: Gus Bodnar, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 1951-52 Parkhurst #40
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1945, ’47)
Bodnar has the record for the three fastest assists in NHL history when he set up Blackhawks teammate Bill Mosientko for three goals in 21 seconds.
1944-45: Frank McCool, G, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 2004-05 In the Game Franchises Canadian #99
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1945)
Goaltender McCool had a great rookie year, winning the Stanley Cup and the Calder Trophy, but retired after the next season due to ulcers. His first hockey card wasn’t issued until 60 years after his rookie year.
1945-46: Edgar Laprade, C, New York Rangers
RC: 1951-52 Parkhurst #96
Other Awards: Lady Byng (1950); HHOF (1993)
1946-47: Howie Meeker, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 1951-52 Parkhurst #72
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1947, ’48, ’51)
1947-48: Jim McFadden, C, Detroit Red Wings
RC: 1951-52 Parkhurst #44
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1950)
1948-49: Pentti Lund, RW, New York Rangers
RC: 1951-52 Parkhurst #31
Although he was raised in Canada, Lund was the first person from Finland to win the Calder.
1949-50: Jack Gelineau, G, Boston Bruins
RC: 2013-14 In The Game Between the Pipes - Immortals #I-31
Gelineau didn’t have an NHL trading card issued until 60 years after his last NHL game.
1950-51: Terry Sawchuk, G, Detroit Red Wings
RC: 1951-52 Parkhurst #61
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1952, ’54, ’55, ’67); Vezina (1952, ’53, ’55, ’65); HHOF (1971)
Sawchuk had a remarkable NHL career but tragically died in 1970 at age 40. At the time of his death, he was the NHL’s all-time leader in wins and shutouts. The Hockey Hall of Fame waived the three-year wait period and inducted him posthumously in 1971.
1951-52: Bernie “Boom-Boom” Geoffrion, RW, Montreal Canadiens
RC: 1951-52 Parkhurst #14
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1953, 1956-60); Art Ross (1955, ’61); Hart (1961); HHOF (1972)
Nicknamed “Boom Boom” for his slapshot, Geoffrion was the second NHL player—after teammate Maurice “The Rocket” Richard—to score 50 goals in a season.
1952-53: Lorne “Gump” Worsley, G, New York Rangers
RC: 1953-54 Parkhurst #53
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1965, ’66, ’68, ’69); Vezina (1966, ’68); HHOF (1980)
Worsley won the Calder, was sent to the minors the next season, then came back and played another 20 years in the NHL. He was the second-to-last goalie to play without a mask.
1953-54: Camille Henry, RW, New York Rangers
RC: 1954-55 Parkhurst #73
Other Awards: Lady Byng (1958)
1954-55: Ed Litzenberger, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
RC: 1957-58 Topps #26
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1961-64)
Litzenberger was the second and final player to win top rookie honors after getting traded midway through his rookie year, as he started the season with the Canadiens and finished with the Blackhawks. He is also the only pro hockey player to win six consecutive league championships: four Stanley Cups in a row followed by two AHL championships.
1955-56: Glenn Hall, G, Detroit Red Wings
RC: 1957-58 Topps #20
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1961); Vezina (1963, ’67, ’69); Conn Smythe (1968); HHOF (1975)
Nicknamed “Mr. Goalie,” Hall played in a record 502 consecutive games and is credited as the first goalie to use the butterfly style. Hall attempted to start a player union with teammate Ted Lindsay, so the Red Wings traded them to the Blackhawks as “punishment.”
1956-57: Larry Regan, RW, Boston Bruins
RC: 1957-58 Topps #6
1957-58: Frank Mahovlich, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 1957-58 Parkhurst #42
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1962-1964, ’67, ’71, ’73); HHOF (1981)
“The Big M” was a huge part of the Maple Leafs’ dominance during the 1960s and the Canadiens’ two Cups in the early 1970s.
1958-59: Ralph Backstrom, C, Montreal Canadiens
RC: 1958-59 Parkhurst #16
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1959-60, ’65, ’66, ’68, ’69)
1959-60: Bill Hay, C, Chicago Blackhawks
RC: 1960-61 Topps #6
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1961); HHOF (2015)
1960-61: Dave Keon, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 1961-62 Parkhurst #5
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1962-1964, ’67); Lady Byng (1962-63); Conn Smythe (1967); HHOF (1986)
Keon played 22 seasons: 18 in the NHL and another four in the rival World Hockey Association.
1961-62: Bobby Rousseau, RW, Montreal Canadiens
RC: 1962-63 Parkhurst #47
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1965-66, ’68, ’69)
1962-63: Kent Douglas, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 1963-64 Parkhurst #7 & #67
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1963)
Douglas was the first defenseman to win the Calder. Yep, it took 30 years for a D-man to win this honor.
1963-64: Jacques Laperriere, D, Montreal Canadiens
RC: 1963-64 Parkhurst #27 & #86
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1965, ’68, ’69, ’71, ’73); Norris (1966); HHOF (1987)
1964-65: Roger Crozier, G, Detroit Red Wings
RC: 1964-65 Topps #47
Other Awards: Conn Smythe (1966)
Crozier was the first person on a team that lost in the Stanley Cup Final to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
1965-66: Brit Selby, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
RC: 1966-67 Topps #18
From this point forward, the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association votes for the Calder Trophy winner.
1966-67: Bobby Orr, D, Boston Bruins
RC: 1966-67 Topps #35
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1970, ’72); Conn Smythe (1970, ’72); Norris (1968-75); Art Ross (1970, ’75); Hart (1970-72); Pearson (1975); HHOF (1979)
Considered the greatest defenseman in NHL history, Orr won top D-man honors a record eight consecutive times. He also scored one of the most iconic goals in sports history when he netted the series-clinching goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup Final while getting tripped, then extended his arms to celebrate while flying horizontally through the air. Knee injuries cut Orr’s career short, and the Hockey Hall of Fame waived its three-year wait period to induct him.
1967-68: Derek Sanderson, C, Boston Bruins
RC: 1967-68 Topps #33
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1970, ’72)
1968-69: Danny Grant, LW, Minnesota North Stars
RC: 1968-69 O-Pee-Chee #52 & Topps #52
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1968)
Grant saw spot duty with the Canadiens, won the Stanley Cup, was traded to the North Stars, and then won the Calder in his first full season. He’s the first player from an expansion team to be named rookie of the year.
1969-70: Tony Esposito, G, Chicago Blackhawks
RC: 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee #138
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1969); Vezina (1970, ’72, ’74); HHOF (1988)
Esposito won the Stanley Cup as a backup goalie for the Canadiens in 1969, was claimed on waivers by the Blackhawks, then played his first full season in 1969-70. “Tony-O” recorded 15 shutouts that season—an NHL record—and 76 over his career.
1970-71: Gilbert Perreault, C, Buffalo Sabres
RCs: 1970-71 O-Pee-Chee #131 & Topps #131
Other Awards: Byng (1973); HHOF (1990)
1971-72: Ken Dryden, G, Montreal Canadiens
RCs: 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee #45 & Topps #45
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1971, ’73, 1976-79); Conn Smythe (1971); Vezina (1973, 1976-79); HHOF (1983)
Dryden was called up to the Canadiens late in the 1971 season, led the team to a Stanley Cup championship and was named the playoffs MVP—a year before he’d win top rookie honors in 1972. His rookie cards are unique in that they are the only cards in the 1971-72 Topps and O-Pee-Chee sets to use an action shot instead of a posed picture.
1972-73: Steve Vickers, LW, New York Rangers
RC: 1972-73 O-Pee-Chee #254
1973-74: Denis Potvin, D, New York Islanders
RC: 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee #195 & Topps #195
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1980-83); Norris (1976, ’78, ’79); HHOF (1991)
1974-75: Eric Vail, LW, Atlanta Flames
RCs: 1974-75 O-Pee-Chee #135 & Topps #135
1975-76: Bryan Trottier, C, New York Islanders
RCs: 1976-77 O-Pee-Chee #115 & Topps #115
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1980-83, 1991, 1992); Art Ross (1979); Hart (1979); Conn Smythe (1980); HHOF (1997)
Trottier scored 1,425 points over his 18-year NHL career.
1976-77: Willi Plett, RW, Atlanta Flames
RCs: 1977-78 O-Pee-Chee #17 & Topps #17
Plett was the first NHLer born in Paraguay and the first—and only—enforcer to win the Calder Trophy. During his rookie year, he scored 33 goals and 23 assists and dropped his gloves 13 times. Fittingly, Plett’s rookie card pictures him sitting in the penalty box.
1977-78: Mike Bossy, RW, New York Islanders
RCs: 1978-79 O-Pee-Chee #115 & Topps #115
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1980-83); Conn Smythe (1982); Lady Byng (1983, ’84, ’86); HHOF (1991)
Bossy scored 50 or more goals for nine consecutive seasons.
1978-79: Bobby Smith, C, Minnesota North Stars
RCs: 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee #206 & Topps #206
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1986)
1979-80: Ray Bourque, D, Boston Bruins
RCs: 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee #140 & Topps #140
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2001); Norris (1987, ’88, ’90, ’91, ’94); HHOF (2004)
1980-81: Peter Stastny, C, Quebec Nordiques
RCs: 1981-82 O-Pee-Chee #269 & Topps #39
Other Awards: HHOF (1998)
Stastny is the first European-trained player and the first Slovak to win the Calder. He set rookie records of 70 assists in a season (since tied) and eight points in a single game. Next to Wayne Gretzky, Stastny scored the most points during the 1980s.
1981-82: Dale Hawerchuk, C, Winnipeg Jets
RC: 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee #374
“Ducky” scored 518 goals and had 891 assists in his 16-year NHL career.
1982-83: Steve Larmer, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
RCs: 1983-84 O-Pee-Chee #105 & #106
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1994)
Larmer’s rookie card erroneously pictures teammate Steve Ludzik, while Ludzik’s card pictures Larmer. Technically, you will need both cards if you are collecting Calder Trophy winners.
1983-84: Tom Barrasso, G, Buffalo Sabres
RCs: 1984-85 O-Pee-Chee # 18; Topps #14
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1991, ’92); Vezina (1984); Jennings (1985); HHOF (2023)
Barrasso won the Calder as top rookie and the Vezina as the top goalie during his rookie year—not bad for an 18-year-old kid from Boston.
1984-85: Mario Lemieux, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
RCs: 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee #9 & Topps #9
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1991, ’92); Art Ross (1988, ’89, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97); Conn Smythe (1991, ’92); Hart (1988, ’93, ’96); Pearson (1986, ’88, ’93); Masterton (1993); HHOF (1997)
Lemieux was such an amazing player that when he first retired in 1997, the Hockey Hall of Fame waived the three-year waiting period and inducted him that fall. Lemieux made a comeback in 2000 and played five more seasons.
1985-86: Gary Suter, D, Calgary Flames
RCs: 1986-87 O-Pee-Chee #189; Topps #189
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1989)
1986-87: Luc Robitaille, LW, Los Angeles Kings
RCs: 1987-88 O-Pee-Chee #42 & Topps #42
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2002); HHOF (2009)
1987-88: Joe Nieuwendyk, C, Calgary Flames
RCs: 1988-89 O-Pee-Chee #16 & Topps #16
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1989, ’99, ’03); Conn Smythe (1999); HHOF (2011)
1988-89: Brian Leetch, D, New York Rangers
RCs: 1989-90 O-Pee-Chee #136; Topps #136
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1994); Conn Smythe (1994); Norris (1992, ’97); HHOF (2009)
1989-90: Sergei Makarov, C, Calgary Flames
RCs: 1990-91 Bowman #92; O-Pee-Chee #60; Pro Set #38; Score American #71; Score Canadian #71; Topps #60; Upper Deck #123
Makarov was the first player born and trained in Russia to win the Calder. And at 31 years old, he was also the oldest. Makarov had 11 years of prior pro experience playing in Russia. The next year, the NHL made a new rule that first-year players had to be 26 or younger to be eligible for Calder Trophy voting.
1990-91: Ed Belfour, G, Chicago Blackhawks
RCs: 1990-91 Bowman #7; Pro Set #598; Score Rookie and Traded #103T; Upper Deck #55
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1999); Vezina (1991, ’93); Jennings (1991, ’93, ’95, ’99); HHOF (2011)
Belfour played a bit as the Blackhawks backup in 1988-89, spent a season with the Canadian National Team, then came back to the NHL like gangbusters—winning three awards his rookie year enroute to a Hall of Fame career.
1991-92: Pavel Bure, RW, Vancouver Canucks
RC: 1990-91 Upper Deck #526
Other Awards: Rocket Richard (2000, ’01); HHOF (2012)
1992-93: Teemu Selanne, RW, Winnipeg Jets
RC: 1991-92 Upper Deck #21
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2007); Rocket Richard (1999); Masterton (2006); HHOF (2017)
Called “The Finnish Flash” due to his speed, Selanne was the first Finnish-trained player to win the Calder. He set new rookie records with 76 goals and 132 points.
1993-94: Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey Devils
RCs: 1990-91 Score American #439 & Score Canadian #439
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1995, 2000, ’03); Vezina (2003-04, 2007-08); Jennings (1997, ’98, 2003-04, 2010); HHOF (2018)
Brodeur is NHL’s all-time regular season leader in wins (691), shutouts (125) and games played (1,266). He was also credited with scoring three goals during his career.
1994-95: Peter Forsberg, C, Quebec Nordiques
RC: 1991-92 Upper Deck #64
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (1996, ’01); Art Ross (2003); Hart (2003); HHOF (2014)
“Foppa” was the first player from Sweden to win the Calder.
1995-96: Daniel Alfredsson, RW, Ottawa Senators
RCs: Numerous sets from 1995-96
Other Awards: HHOF (2022)
“Alfie” scored 444 goals and 713 assists over his 18-year NHL career.
1996-97: Bryan Berard, D, New York Islanders
RCs: 1994-95 Parkhurst SE #250; Select #149; SP #174; Topps Finest #114; Upper Deck #522
Other Awards: Masterton (2004)
1997-98: Sergei Samsonov, LW, Boston Bruins
RC: 1994-95 SP #189
1998-99: Chris Drury, C, Colorado Avalanche
RC: 1995-96 Upper Deck #569
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2001)
1999-00: Scott Gomez, C, New Jersey Devils
RC: 1998-99 O-Pee-Chee Chrome #232; Topps #232
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2000, ’03)
2000-01: Evgeni Nabokov, G, San Jose Sharks
RCs: 1999-2000 Be A Player Memorabilia #328; Pacific Omega #212
Nabokov is the first and only player from Kazakhstan to win the Calder Trophy. His Pacific Omega rookie card pictures him with teammate Brad Stuart, making his Be A Player Memorabilia card Nabokov’s only “solo” rookie card.
2001-02: Dany Heatley, RW, Atlanta Thrashers
RCs: 2000-01 Black Diamond #63; Ice #43; MVP #211; Upper Deck #198; Victory #279
2002-03: Barret Jackman, D, St. Louis Blues
RC: 1998-99 SP Authentic #117; Upper Deck #394
2003-04: Andrew Raycroft, G, Boston Bruins
RC: Numerous sets from 2000-01
Raycroft played 15 games with the Bruins in 2000 and had rookie cards issued in over 20 sets in 2000-01—three years before he won the Calder.
2004-05: No Winner
Due to a labor dispute, the NHL locked out its players for the entire 2004-05 season, making the NHL the only major pro league to cancel an entire season.
2005-06: Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals
RCs: Numerous sets from 2005-06
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2018); Conn Smythe (2018); Art Ross (2008); Rocket Richard (2008-09, 2013-16, 2018-20); Hart (2008-09, 2013)
Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leader with 929 regular-season goals—and he’ll be back next season to add to his record.
2006-07: Evgeni Malkin, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
RCs: Numerous sets from 2006-07
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2009, ’16, ’17); Conn Smythe (2009); Art Ross (2009, ’12); Hart (2012); Lindsay (2012)
2007-08: Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
RCs: Numerous sets from 2007-08
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2010, ’13, ’15); Conn Smythe (2013); Art Ross (2016); Hart (2016); Lindsay (2016)
Kane has the record for most points by an American player.
2008-09: Steve Mason, G, Columbus Blue Jackets
RCs: Numerous sets from 2008-09
2009-10: Tyler Myers, D, Buffalo Sabres
RCs: Numerous sets from 2009-10
2010-11: Jeff Skinner, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
RCs: Numerous sets from 2010-11
2011-12: Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche
RCs: Numerous sets from 2011-12
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2022)
2012-13: Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Florida Panthers
RCs: Numerous sets from 2013-14
Due to the 2013 NHL Lockout, Huberdeau did not have any RCs issued until 2013-14, though he did have an “Extended RC” in the 2012-13 Artifacts set via a redemption card.
2013-14: Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
RCs: Numerous sets from 2013-14
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2022); Lady Byng (2020); Hart (2024); Lindsay (2024)
2014-15: Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers
RCs: Numerous sets from 2014-15
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2024-25)
2015-16: Artemi Panarin, LW, Chicago Blackhawks
RCs: Numerous sets from 2015-16
“The Breadman” led all rookies in scoring that year and was a big reason why linemate Patrick Kane won the Art Ross, Hart and Linday honors in 2016.
2016-17: Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
RCs: Numerous sets from 2016-17
Other Awards: Rocket Richard (2021-22, ’24); Hart (2022); Lindsay (2022)
Matthews scored four goals in his first NHL game enroute to winning the Calder Trophy. He is the Maple Leafs all-time goal scoring leader with 428 goals—and he’s only 28.
2017-18: Mathew Barzal, C, New York Islanders
RCs: Numerous sets from 2017-18
2018-19: Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks
RCs: Numerous sets from 2018-19
2019-20: Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
RCs: Numerous sets from 2019-20
Other Awards: Stanley Cup (2022); Conn Smythe (2022); Norris (2022, ’25)
Wayne Gretzky has frequently praised Makar, at times comparing him to Boby Orr and to Connor McDavid.
2020-21: Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild
RCs: Numerous sets from 2020-21
“Kirill the Thrill” has scored 475 points in just 397 career games so far.
2021-22: Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings
RCs: Numerous sets from 2021-22
Seider is the first player from Germany to win the Calder.
2022-23: Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken
RCs: Numerous sets from 2022-23
2023-24: Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks
RCs: Numerous sets from 2023-24
Also See: Is Connor Bedard the next Great One?
2024-25: Lane Hutson, D, Montreal Canadiens
RCs: Numerous sets from 2024-25
Hutson’s 60 assists in his first year is an NHL record for most assists by a rookie defenseman.
2025-26 Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders
RCs: Numerous sets from 2025-26
At 18 years, 223 days of age at the end of the regular season, Schaefer is the youngest player to win the Calder Trophy.
WHERE'S WAYNE?
Wayne Gretzky won practically every NHL award—but he never won the Calder Trophy.
As a 17-year-old, Gretzky played his first year of pro hockey in the World Hockey Association, a league that rivaled the NHL during the 1970s. In his first and only season in the WHA, Gretzky scored 46 goals with 64 assists for 110 points and won the Lou Kaplan Trophy as that league’s rookie of the year.
When the WHA merged with the NHL prior to the 1979-80 season, Gretzky and the other former WHA players were ineligible for the Calder Trophy because of their prior professional experience. Still, the 137 points Gretzky scored during his first NHL season in 1979-80 stands as a record for most points by a “first year” NHL player—even if that player wasn’t considered a “rookie.”
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