Calder Trophy Nominees Announced

The NHL has announced the nominees for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie. Steve Mason and Bobby Ryan are no surprise, with Kris Versteeg getting slot #3 over Pekke Renne and Drew Doughty.

The NHL first handed out a rookie of the year award in 1933. In 1937 the award was named after Frank Calder, the NHL's president since day one in 1917. In 1943 the award was renamed the Calder Memorial Trophy after Calder's death.

Here's a few interesting observations over the years:

Teams to have best rookie:
9 - Toronto Maple Leafs
- Combined defunct teams
8 - Chicago Blackhawks
- Boston Bruins
- New York Rangers
6 - Montreal Canadiens
5 - Detroit Red Wings
3 - New York Islanders
- Calgary Flames
2 - Buffalo Sabres
- New Jersey Devils
- Pittsburgh Penguins
1 - Los Angeles Kings
- Washington Capitals
- St. Louis Blues
- Atlanta Thrashers
- Vancouver Canucks
- Ottawa Senators
- Colorado Avalanche
- San Jose Sharks

Best rookie, by position:
23 - Center
18 - Right Wing
15 - Goaltender
9 - Left Wing
9 - Defense

Traditionally there has been a bias against rookie defensemen. The first defenseman to win the award was Kent Douglas, and that was not until 1963.