To mark the halfway point of the 2022-23 regular season, NHL.com is running its third installment of the Trophy Tracker series. Today, we look at the race for the Calder Trophygiven annually to the best rookie in the NHL as selected in a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Matty Beniers has been rewarded for a stellar start to his NHL rookie season with an invitation to the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on Feb. 4 (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, CBC, SN, TVAS).
“The All-Star Game is pretty special, so I’m excited for that,” Beniers said. “(Kraken general manager) Ron Francis and (coach) Dave Hakstol pulled me aside (prior to the announcement) and told me, so that was pretty cool. It was tough to keep it quiet though, it really was.”
Beniers has certainly earned the honor. He leads all first-year players in goals (14) and points (30) and has been a key part of Seattle’s ascent in the Pacific Division. He’s the favorite to win the Calder Trophy at midseason, according to a panel of 14 NHL.com writers, with 63 points (seven first-place votes). He was second in NHL.com’s first-quarter poll in November.
Video: SEA@OTT: Beniers increases Kraken’s lead in 2nd
Logan Thompsona goalie for the Vegas Golden Knights, was second with 54 points (five first-place votes), followed by Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov (29 points; one first-place vote) and Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish (11 points).
Thompson, chosen to represent the Golden Knights for his division at the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend on Feb. 3-4, is the first rookie goalie to be named to the All-Star Game since 2016 (John Gibson, Ducks). The 25-year-old is 18-10-1 with a 2.66 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and two shutouts in 29 games (28 starts). His 18 wins are tied for third in the NHL this season.
“It’s something you dream of growing up, being selected for that,” Thompson said. “To hear my name for that is a rewarding feeling.
“It’s been a tough journey, tough road, and I’ve definitely faced a lot of adversity along the way, so I think it just makes you grateful for where you’re at in your career now.”
Beniers has recently been in the center on a line with left wing Andrew Burakovsky Jordan Eberle.
“As a young guy in this league, especially as a centerman, that’s a heavy load to carry,” Hakstol said. “I’ve said it all along, there’s going to be nights where he’s having great success, there’s going to be other nights that are more difficult. But his demeanor doesn’t change his response to the next day, the next shift, the next period.
“He’s got a great hockey sense. That competitiveness never wanes. It’s not up and down. His competitiveness is there, day in and day out.”
Beniers also leads rookies with 10 even-strength goals and 24 even-strength points.
“We’re proud of Matty being named to the NHL All-Star Game,” Francis said. “It’s a testament to his hard work and dedication. We’re looking forward to watching him represent the Kraken at one of the League’s premier events.”
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis): Matty Beniers, Seattle Kraken, 63 points (7 first-place votes); Logan Thompson, Vegas Golden Knights, 54 (5); Pyotr Kochetkov, Carolina Hurricanes, 29 (1); Mason McTavish, Anahiem Ducks, 11; Matias MaccelliArizona Coyotes, 9; Stuart SkinnerEdmonton Oilers, 9; Cole PerfettiWinnipeg Jets, 8; Shane PintoOttawa Senators, 8; Owen PowerBuffalo Sabres, 7; Jake SandersonSenators, 6; Wyatt JohnstonDallas Stars, 5; Kaiden GuhleMontreal Canadiens, 1
.