Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov named finalist for Calder Memorial Trophy
Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov, left, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Brandon Saad defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Denver.[AP Photo/David Zalubowski]
The NHL announced on Thursday that Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov has been named as a finalist for the 2020-21 Calder Memorial Trophy. The award is presented annually to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.
The winners of the 2021 NHL awards will be revealed during the Stanley Cup semifinals and Stanley Cup Final.
The 24-year-old Kaprizov lead the Wild and NHL rookies with 51 points in 55 games this season. He also leads the team and league rookies in goals, even-strength goals, power-play goals and shots on goal, tied for first in overtime goals, second in assists, even-strength points and power-play points.
Kaprizov is the Wild’s first-ever Calder Memorial Trophy finalist and the seventh player to be named a finalist for an NHL award, joining Mikael Granlund (2017), Devan Dubnyk (2015), Josh Harding (2013), Ryan Suter (2013), Mikko Koivu (2017) and Wes Walz (2003).
Kaprizov was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Other finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy include Alex Nedeljkovic and Jason Robertson.