Connor Bedard, Brock Faber, Luke Hughes named NHL’s Calder Trophy finalists

Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard, Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber and New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes have been named finalists for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s rookie of the year.

The Blackhawks selected Bedard with the No. 1 pick in last summer’s NHL Draft in Nashville. He scored 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games this season. Bedard’s season was shortened after suffering a fractured jaw in January, but he still led all rookies in goals, assists and points.

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Faber played all 82 games this past year with the Wild, scoring eight goals and 47 points — tied for the second-most points among NHL rookies. Faber also led all rookies with an average ice time of 24:58 per game. Only five other players — John Carlson, Drew Doughty, Mike Matheson, Seth Jones and Rasmus Dahlin — averaged more ice time than Faber this season.

Hughes scored nine goals, which led all rookie defenders this past season, and 47 points, tying Faber for second among rookie point-getters. The 19-year-old is the younger brother of Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes and New Jersey’s Jack Hughes. Luke is the second Hughes brother to be up for the Calder following Quinn’s nomination in 2020.

The Norris Trophy finalists for defenseman of the year will be unveiled Wednesday morning. The Masterton Trophy finalists for the player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey” will be revealed Thursday. The Jack Adams Trophy finalists for coach of the year will be released Friday.

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(Top photo of Connor Bedard and Brock Faber: Melissa Tamez / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)