Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdif receive votes for Calder Trophy, as Matthew Schaefer wins NHL Rookie of the Year
RMNB • • sports
Key Points:
- Washington Capitals rookies Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdif received votes for the 2026 Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s Rookie of the Year, finishing eighth and 12th respectively in the voting.
- Leonard scored 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 75 games, becoming the eighth Capitals rookie to score 20 goals in a season and ranking 10th all-time among Capitals rookies for points in a single season.
- Sourdif recorded 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists) in 78 games, transitioning from a fourth-line winger to a key center, with the Capitals outscoring opponents 47-28 when he was on the ice at five-on-five.
- New York Islanders defender Matthew Schaefer won the Calder Trophy unanimously, earning all 198 first-place votes after scoring 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) in 82 games and setting multiple rookie records for an 18-year-old defenseman.
- Schaefer became the youngest Calder Trophy winner in NHL history and the first defenseman in over 90 years to lead all rookies in goals, with his 23 goals tying the NHL rookie record for defensemen.