Skip to main content

Three very different players have been nominated for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year.

Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene, Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard and Buffalo Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers were unveiled as the award nominees on Thursday. Voting was conducted by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

Not only do the nominees play different positions, they are from different draft classes: the 19-year-old Duchene was selected third overall in 2009; Myers, 20, was taken 12th in 2008; and the 26-year-old Howard was picked in the fourth round in 2003.

Duchene led all rookies in scoring with 55 points and tied John Tavares for the lead in goals with 24. He also helped the Avalanche back to the playoffs.

Howard spent four years in the American Hockey League with Grand Rapids before taking over the Red Wings' No. 1 job this season. He started 25 consecutive games at one point and finished with a 37-15-10 record, 2.26 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.

Myers led the Sabres in ice time with 23:44 and finished with a plus-13 rating. He was also third in rookie scoring with 48 points (11-37).

The NHL awards will be given out in Las Vegas on June 23.

Interact with The Globe