2008 Calder Trophy Nominees

The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League.” The prestigious award has been given 70 times since its beginnings in 1937.

This year’s nominees are Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitols. Kane was taken first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks at last summer’s NHL draft and led all freshmen with 21 goals and 72 points in 82 games this season. Toews, who played with Kane on Chicago’s top line for most of the season, collected 54 points, despite having a shorter season (64 games) due to a knee injury. Backstrom finished second to Kane in scoring (69 points) and helped lead the Capitals into the playoffs.