Calder Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the most proficient player in their first year of NHL competition.

The Calder Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League. Named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL, this version of the trophy has been presented since its creation for the 1936–37 season. The voting is conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the conclusion of each regular season to determine the winner. Originally decided solely by League President Frank Calder himself, the process evolved into a formalized points system where voters rank their top five candidates.

Quick Facts

Sport: Ice hockey
First: 1936–37 NHL season

Lore & Background

When the award was established in 1937, there were no requirements beyond that the winner be in his first year of competition in the NHL. Frank Calder purchased a trophy each year to award to the winner until his death in 1943, after which a permanent trophy was cast and renamed the Calder Memorial Trophy. The eligibility rules have shifted significantly over time to maintain fairness. In 1979, a rule was implemented blocking players who played six or more games in any two preceding seasons, specifically designed to stop Wayne Gretzky from winning due to his World Hockey Association experience. Another major change followed Sergei Makarov's win in 1991; after the 31-year-old Russian won following the influx of Eastern Bloc players, the rules were amended to require winners be 26 years of age or younger.

Reader's Guide

To win the Calder Memorial Trophy today, a player must adhere to strict eligibility criteria regarding previous professional experience. A candidate cannot have played more than 25 regular season games in any single preceding season, nor six or more games in each of any two preceding regular seasons in any major professional league. Additionally, winners must be 26 years of age or younger. The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the record for the most wins with ten occasions, the most recent being Auston Matthews in 2017, while the Chicago Blackhawks have secured the award nine times.

Did You Know?

Frank Calder, the trophy's namesake and first NHL president, personally purchased a new trophy each year from 1936 until his death in 1943.
The eligibility rule limiting games played in two preceding seasons was implemented in 1979 specifically to prevent Wayne Gretzky from winning due to his prior WHA season.
Ken Dryden won the award in 1972 despite playing in the playoffs the previous year and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, as playoff games do not count toward eligibility limits.