WINNIPEG — Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone has been named a finalist for the National Hockey League’s Calder Trophy for rookie of the year. The Winnipeg native scored 26 goals and 38 assists in 80 games this season to win the rookie scoring race. He also led all rookies in plus-minus with a +21.
The 22-year-old former Brandon Wheat King’s forward really got hot down the stretch with 16 points in his final 13 games and played a big part in the Senators late season comeback to gain a playoff berth. He also set a Senators rookie club record with a nine game point streak.
Stone has actually played parts of three seasons in the NHL but had appeared in less than 25 games at the start of the season keeping him eligible for the rookie award which is given “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition”.
The other two finalists for the award are Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau and Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche won the top rookie honour last season. This year’s award ceremony will take place in Las Vegas on June 24.
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