NHL – finalists for the Rookie of the Year Trophy
April 22, 2009 – The finalists for the Calder Trophy were announced Wednesday. The trophy is awarded each season Rookie of the Year, a tradition that began with Frank Calder, president of the NHL more than 60 years. Finalists this year is Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets, Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks, and Kirk Versteeg of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Trophy last season was the Blackhawks players Patrick Kane, who with an astonishing 72 points and 51 assists, beat teammate Jonathan Toews and Nicklas Bäckström Washington Capitals.
The three finalists for trophy this year have a talent to the NHL in their first years as professionals. But three, which is likely to win? Check out the competitors.
- Steven Mason
Let's face it: the guy was proved to be a valuable addition for the Blue Jackets. The entrance to the team during the playoffs for the first time in history of the franchise can be attributed to Mason. In 2006 he was drafted in the third round in 2008-09, Mason led the league with 10 starts closing, while other rivals battled for second place with 6 low.
Netminding fell in Mason's Not-So-Soft shoulders of the young, when former goalie Leclaire Columbus Pasqual stunned his teammates an average of 3.83 goals allowed and a disappointing percentage of, 867. Mason took over as well. During the 2008-09 season, finished second in the league with a GAA of 2.19 and seventh place with a percentage of, 916. It was also the reason that led Columbus in the number of less than 9 goals this season.
Now is your chance to do something that four other guards have in the past quarter century to win the Calder Memorial Trophy.
- Bobby Ryan
Mason may have the ability, but Ryan, and more powers, has a history. Several stories, actually. In the house of his childhood, his father once seriously assaulted his mother and therefore face a year in jail. In his career, Ryan has suffered the ducks seemingly capricious decision-making: after of the Ducks chose the second option selection 2005 draft, Ryan went back and forth between the Ducks and their AHL affiliate for the next two seasons.
Someone give this guy off.
But maybe not needed, his talent speaks for itself. It has a very sought after combination of size and skill that score translates plays. Then, when he joined the Ducks this season, made a big difference. With only 64 games under his belt this season, was top recruits scorer with 31 goals and 57 points. On March 22, 2009, beat rookie Dustin Penner POINT RECORD for the franchise when he made 2 assists, earning his 46th point. He, with Corey Perry Ryan Getzlaf line has helped move the ducks in the playoffs this year.
- Kirk Versteeg
The Blackhawks have the opportunity winning the Calder Memorial Trophy twice in a row with the finalists Kirk Versteeg. Versteeg was a fifth round pick of the Bruins, but he has shown his talent this season. This is a fast forward with incredible powers in the drive to the net movement of through traffic easily. He showed that it was dangerous on the ice.
With the 22-31-53, is fourth on the Blackhawks in scoring and fifth in goals, tied with Billy gardener in the franchise record for goals shorthanded, and equal third in the NHL with seven shorthanded goals. He was named the NHL young star game in January this year, though, because of an injury, has not played at the event.
Above all, beat all rookies in the league this year with 31 assists and 53 points, second only to Ryan.
Although presents Versteeg a formidable opponent, Mason and Ryan received the most attention this season. Mason, in particular, has been chosen for the award since the start of the season. The award will be delivered at the ceremony in the NHL on June 18 in Las Vegas.
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