NEW YORK — The New York Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer has captured the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, earning every first-place vote in the process.
The NHL presented him with the honor on Wednesday.
Schaefer, who was selected first overall in the draft, emerged as the leading candidate for the award almost immediately after his first game on opening night in Pittsburgh. The defenseman netted 23 goals, matching Brian Leetch’s milestone for most goals by a first-year defenseman, while accumulating 59 total points.
The 18-year-old emerged as the centerpiece of the Islanders organization and contributed to their postseason bid, though the team came up short during the final weeks of the regular season. He captured all 198 first-place votes for the Calder Trophy.
Ivan Demidov from Montreal finished as the runner-up, while Anaheim’s Bennett Sennecke claimed third place in the balloting conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
