(New York) Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators are the finalists for the Norris Trophy, the NHL announced Wednesday.
This trophy is awarded annually to the NHL’s outstanding defenseman, following a vote among members of the Association of Professional Hockey Journalists.
Hughes, in his first season as Canucks captain, led all defensemen in the league with 92 points (17-75) and set franchise records for defensemen in points and assists assistance. He became the first Canucks player to be named a finalist for the Norris Trophy, and could become the fourth American player to receive such an honor.
His younger brother, Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, was named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL’s outstanding rookie, on Tuesday.
PHOTO DAVID ZALUBOWSKI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cale Makar
Makar, who won the Norris Trophy in 2021-22, set personal highs and franchise records with 90 points and 69 assists. The 25-year-old hockey player raised his 300e point in the NHL at his 280e career game, becoming the second-fastest defenseman to accomplish this feat in NHL history, one game quicker than Bobby Orr. Makar is a finalist for the Norris Trophy for the fourth time in his first five campaigns on the Bettman circuit.
PHOTO GEORGE WALKER IV, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roman Josi
For his part, Josi, who won the Norris Trophy in 2019-20 and was a finalist three times in his career, led all NHL defensemen with 23 goals, and he finished third among players playing at his position with 85 points, behind Hughes and Makar. At 33, the Swiss is the oldest Norris Trophy finalist since Mark Giordano (35, with the Calgary Flames) and Brent Burns (34, with the San Jose Sharks), who were named finalists in 2018- 19.