The other two finalists are Edmonton Oilers’ forward Connor McDavid, the top overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, and Philadelphia Flyers’ defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. Panarin also played a key role in Kane’s career-best season, in which he became the first American-born player to win the scoring title.
Advertisement
The announcement tonight was by no way a surprise, so the obvious statement is the fact that Chicago Blackhawks Artemi Panarin would be a Calder Trophy Finals awarded to the NHL Rookie of the year.
Gostisbehere appeared in 64 games for the Flyers this year, scoring 17 goals and 46 points.
Gostisbehere started the year with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The 17 goals are a team record for a rookie defenseman, surpassing Behn Wilson, who had 13 in 1978-79. “It’s a compliment to my teammates, the coaching staff and the front office for believing in me all the way”.
Gostisbehere, who turned 23 years old on April 20, had a record-setting season, helping push the Flyers into the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs once called up on November 14 from American Hockey League affiliate Lehigh Valley. “I had a great crew – my surgeon (Dr. Peter Deluca), trainers (Jimmy McCrossin, Sal Raffa) – those are the guys behind the scene who truly don’t get enough credit”.
“I really didn’t think I was going to come in and make such an impact, ” he said.
Advertisement
He had an immediate impact, recording his first National Hockey League point with the primary assist on the game-tying goal in that November 14 game at Carolina, and then recording his first National Hockey League goal three days later vs. Los Angeles. He set a record by beccoming the first rookie defenseman to have 4 overtime goals and he had a 15 game point streak. The Flyers and Oilers have never had a Calder victor. The award will be handed out on June 22 in Las Vegas. “Anything for the Flyers organization, the fans”.
