Vancouver Canucks: Brock Boeser named Calder Trophy finalist

Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser was named as one of the three nominees for the Calder Trophy, which is given annually to the league’s top rookie.

It’s not a surprise in any way, but Vancouver Canucks star rookie Brock Boeser has been named as a finalist for the Calder Trophy (given to the top rookie),, along with Mathew Barzal and Clayton Keller.

Boeser had one of the most impressive rookie seasons in Canuck history, finishing with 29 goals and 55 points in just 62 games. A back injury forced him to miss the final month of the season, but he still finished tied with Daniel Sedin for the lead in team scoring.

Drafted 23rd-overall by the Canucks in 2015, Boeser made his NHL debut late in the 2016-17 season, and finished with four goals in just nine games. That set a high bar for him in 2017-18, and Boeser easily lived up to the early expectations.

Hall of Famer Pavel Bure is the only Canuck player to have won the Calder Trophy, and that was way back in the 1991-91 season. Bure scored 34 goals and 60 points that season in just 65 games.

Though Boeser and Keller (23 goals and 65 points), had incredible seasons, it’d be a major surprise if the award didn’t go to Barzal. The New York Islanders star had 22 goals and 85 points, and was tied for 13th in league scoring with Brad Marchand.

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The odds of Boeser winning the Calder Trophy aren’t great, but being a nomination in a stacked rookie class is impressive enough. And even if he doesn’t win the trophy, Boeser has plenty of time to ramp up a nice trophy case in what will be an excellent career.