Illegal Curve Hockey

Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrik Laine a Calder Trophy finalist

Today the NHL announced what many were expecting that Jets super rookie Patrik Laine will join the Leafs Auston Matthews and Jackets Zach Werenski as Calder Trophy finalists for the top rookie in the NHL.

From the NHL:

Laine, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, ranked second among rookies with 36 goals and 64 points in 73 games – both single-season franchise records for a first-year player. He also led rookies in shooting percentage (17.6%) and shared first place in power-play goals (9), while placing in the top 10 in game-winning goals (t-3rd; 5), shots on goal (4th; 204), power-play points (6th; 14) and assists (8th; 28). Laine became the first player in NHL history to post three hat tricks prior to his 19th birthday as well as the first rookie (at any age) to notch three hat tricks in one season since 1992-93. The Tampere, Finland, native – who celebrated his 19th birthday Wednesday – is the third Calder Trophy finalist in Jets/Thrashers history; Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk finished first and second, respectively, in voting in 2001-02.

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.