Hockey Rookie Of The Year Award
Every season, the National Hockey League (NHL) recognizes the top-performing rookie with the Rookie of the Year Award. The award is highly coveted and has been won by some of the league's biggest stars, including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Alexander Ovechkin. In this article, we will explore the history of the award, the criteria for selection, and some of the most notable winners.
History of the Hockey Rookie Of The Year Award
The Rookie of the Year Award was first presented in 1947, and Frank McCool of the Toronto Maple Leafs was the inaugural recipient. The award was then known as the Calder Memorial Trophy, named after Frank Calder, the NHL's first president. The trophy is still awarded today, and it remains one of the most prestigious awards in the league.
Over the years, the award has been won by some of the NHL's most talented players. In addition to the aforementioned Gretzky, Lemieux, and Ovechkin, other winners include Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, and Patrick Roy. The most recent winner of the award is Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks, who won it in the 2018-19 season.
Criteria for Selection
The NHL has established a set of criteria for selecting the winner of the Rookie of the Year Award. To be eligible for the award, a player must be a rookie and must have played in fewer than 25 games in any previous NHL season.
The selection process for the award involves a vote by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Each writer submits a ballot with their top five selections for the award, and the player with the most votes is declared the winner.
The criteria for selection are not just based on statistics but also on a player's overall performance and impact on their team. Factors such as leadership, sportsmanship, and a player's overall contribution to their team are also taken into consideration.
Notable Winners of the Hockey Rookie Of The Year Award
As previously mentioned, some of the NHL's biggest stars have won the Rookie of the Year Award. Here are some of the most notable winners:
Bobby Orr (1967)
Bobby Orr is considered one of the greatest players in NHL history, and he won the Rookie of the Year Award in the 1967-68 season. Orr's incredible offensive and defensive skills revolutionized the game and transformed the way defensemen played the position.
Wayne Gretzky (1980)
Wayne Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time, and he won the Rookie of the Year Award in the 1979-80 season. Gretzky went on to win the award eight more times during his dominant career.
Mario Lemieux (1985)
Mario Lemieux won the Rookie of the Year Award in the 1984-85 season, and he went on to become one of the most dominant players in NHL history. Lemieux won two Stanley Cups and is considered one of the greatest centers to ever play the game.
Alexander Ovechkin (2006)
Alexander Ovechkin won the Rookie of the Year Award in the 2005-06 season, and he has since become one of the most prolific goal scorers in NHL history. Ovechkin has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hart Trophy (MVP) three times and the Rocket Richard Trophy (most goals) nine times.
Conclusion
The Rookie of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the NHL, and it is a testament to a player's skill, impact, and contribution to their team. Winning the award is a significant accomplishment, and it is often a sign of great things to come for young players in the league.