Connor Bedard leads finalists for Calder Trophy

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard and defensemen Brock Faber of the Minnesota Wild and Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils are the finalists for the 2023-24 Calder Memorial Trophy.

The NHL announced the finalists Tuesday for the award, which is presented "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition."

Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, led or co-led all rookies in goals (22), assists (39) and points (61) despite missing 14 games due to injuries. He is looking to become the 10th Blackhawks player to win the award and the first since Artemi Panarin in 2015-16.

Faber, the 45th selection in the 2020 draft, scored 47 points (eight goals, 39 assists) and played all 82 games while leading all rookies in average ice time (24:58) and blocked shots (150). The only previous Wild finalist for the award was Kirill Kaprizov, who won it in 2020-21.

Hughes, the No. 4 overall pick in 2021, also scored 47 points (nine goals, 38 assists) and played all 82 games while topping all rookies in power-play assists (21) and power-play points (25). Previous Calder Trophy winners for the Devils were Scott Gomez (1999-2000) and Martin Brodeur (1993-94).

Hughes' brother, Quinn, finished second in the 2019-20 Calder voting, making them the first siblings in NHL history to be voted finalists for the award.

--Field Level Media