Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has received the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the second time in his profession, capturing 176 of the 191 obtainable first-place votes. The trophy is yearly awarded to the defenseman who demonstrates the best all-around skill on the place all through the season.
Makar beat out Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) and Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) for the distinction, which is voted on by the Skilled Hockey Writers’ Affiliation. Makar has been nominated as a finalist for 5 consecutive seasons, and that is his first win since initially incomes the trophy after the 2021-22 marketing campaign.
Makar’s second win got here after a dominant season during which he led all NHL defensemen in targets (30), assists (62), and factors (92) whereas averaging the third-highest ice time within the league (25:43 per sport). The 26-year-old was additionally the primary defenseman to attain 30 targets or extra in a single season since Mike Inexperienced scored 31 with the Washington Capitals throughout the 2008-09 season. He additionally posted the primary back-to-back seasons of 90 or extra factors since Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis did so within the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons.
Makar is the 14th defenseman in NHL historical past to win the Norris Trophy a number of occasions and is second amongst energetic blueliners behind Erik Karlsson who has received the trophy thrice in his profession. He’s now on monitor to affix an illustrious group of solely 9 defensemen in NHL historical past who’ve received the Norris Trophy three or extra occasions, needing just one extra win to affix Bobby Orr (eight), Doug Harvey (seven), Nicklas Lidstrom (seven), Raymond Bourque (5), Chris Chelios (three), Coffey (three), Karlsson (three), Denis Potvin (three), and Pierre Pilote (three).
Aside from Randy Carlyle, each eligible Norris Trophy winner has been inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame, suggesting that Makar may be part of that hallowed group upon retirement.
