Every team hopes to have that special spark from that top draft pick, especially general managers because it makes it look like they made a right choice in selecting that player. These first year players are known as rookies, and every year the league hands out the Calder Memorial Trophy for the player that has been voted to excel the most in his first full year in the NHL. The following candidates include a surprising goaltender and a couple of very special forwards with very bright futures, in no particular order.
Columbus Blue Jackets, Goalie, Steve Mason
Year to Date: 34 GP, 19-12-2, .923 SV%, 2.09 GAA, 7 Shutouts
Mason started the year in the minors before getting called up and put in the spotlight when number one goalie Pascal LeClaire went down with an injury in early January. And it is safe to say, Mason has run away with the starting job and has no plans to give it back to LeClaire. Mason’s 2.09 goal against average and 7 shutouts are both league bests, and he has 19 of the Jackets 25 wins this year. Only recently have problems come afloat, as Mason has been put on the injured reserves because of mononucleosis. Speculations are that fatigue was part of the issue, as Mason has started in 34 of Columbus’ 51 games played this year. There is no timetable for Mason’s return, but if the Jackets’ want to make the playoffs, Mason is going to have to be between the pipes. This may be a knock against his bid for the Calder trophy, but to this point of the season, he is very well the leader for top rookie.
Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing, Kris Versteeg
Year to Date: 48 GP, 15 Goals, 25 Assists, +16, 4 SHG
Versteeg’s first game came a month into the season on Oct 10th when he was called up from the baby-Hawks and he has thrived. Chicago is full of young players led by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, but Versteeg has been able to shine even under the shadows of those two stars. Versteeg leads all NHL rookies in assists with 25 and points with 40, and has become a penalty kill threat with 4 shorthanded goals, another rookie leading stat. He also leads all rookie forwards in ice-time at about 17 and a half minutes per game. Versteeg has shown poise and composure with the puck and soft hands to finish when the opportunity presents itself.
Anaheim Ducks, Right Wing, Bobby Ryan
Year to Date: 38 GP, 18 Goals, 35 points, 8 PPG
Ryan has been simply unbelievable since his call-up in mid November. He has been a scoring machine and has put up some highlight reel goals against some of the best in the league. He leads all NHL rookies in goals with 18 and powerplay goals with 8, and all this with just 38 games played, 10 less than Versteeg. He could very well be the rookie leader in a lot of categories over Versteeg if they played the same amount of games.
Boston Bruins, Right Wing, Blake Wheeler
Year to Date: 54 GP, 18 Assists, 33 Points, +32
The Bruins’ have surprised everybody this year by coming out and making winning a habit. And their top rookie has been a very pleasant surprise as well. The 22 year old was Phoenix’s 5th overall pick in 2004, but the Coyotes never gave the kid a chance to play. He signed with the Bruins’ this past offseason and cracked the lineup and has not given up his spot. He has shown up in all of the Bruins’ 54 games and is 3rd in rookie scoring behind Versteeg and Ryan. Wheeler has shown some quick feet and soft hands out on the ice, and showed some great two way play as evident by his rookie leading +/- rating at an unbelievable +32.
Each of the before mentioned four players are more than deserving of the Calder trophy, but only one can take it home when it is all said and done. As mentioned, Mason could fall off the table if his sickness keeps him out for an extended period of time. But whoever it is, the rookie class this year is definitely a strong one and it will be a race all the way to the last game of the season.
Terence Pang - Welcome to my Suite101. I'm a university student studying in writing in hopes to become a sports writer one day. I specialize in a variety ...
