The Race for the Calder: Beckett Sennecke and Ivan Demidov Lead the 2025-26 Rookie Finalists

The NHL landscape is shifting, and a new generation of stars is ready to take center stage. The National Hockey League has officially announced that the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) has selected the finalists for the prestigious Calder Memorial Trophy for the 2025-26 season.

Among the elite group of newcomers, Beckett Sennecke and Matthew Schaefer have secured their spots as finalists, joining the sensational Montreal Canadiens forward, Ivan Demidov. The competition for the league’s top rookie award is heating up, reflecting a season of extraordinary individual performances.

Ivan Demidov: A Statistical Powerhouse

While the race is tight, Ivan Demidov has put up numbers that are hard to ignore. The 20-year-old phenom has dominated the rookie rankings, establishing himself as a primary offensive threat for the Habs. Demidov’s season has been nothing short of historic, leading all NHL freshmen in several key categories:

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• Total Points: 62 (1st among rookies)
• Assists: 43 (1st among rookies)
• Power Play Points: 20 (7 goals, 13 assists)
• Clutch Performance: Tied for second-most game-winning goals among rookies with 4.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 192 pounds, Demidov proved his consistency early on. He was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for December after an explosive run of 14 points in just 15 games. Furthermore, he became the first Canadiens rookie since the legendary Gilbert Dionne to record 10 multi-point games within their first 50 appearances, ultimately finishing the season with 14 multi-point outings.

The Tradition of Excellence in Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens are currently enjoying a golden era of rookie development. For the second consecutive year, a Habs player has led the league in rookie scoring. This follows in the footsteps of Lane Hutson, who achieved a similar feat in the 2024-25 season and went on to win the Calder Trophy.

Demidov, the Canadiens’ fifth-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, seems destined to keep this streak alive, though the presence of talents like Beckett Sennecke ensures that the trophy will not be won without a fight.

What is the Calder Memorial Trophy?

For those new to the sport, the Calder Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged to be the most proficient in their first year of professional competition. Established in 1936-37 by the first NHL President, Frank Calder, the award has become the gold standard for identifying future superstars of the game.

As the PHWA members cast their votes, hockey fans across Canada and the world are watching closely. Will the trophy stay in Montreal with Demidov, or will Beckett Sennecke or Matthew Schaefer pull off the upset?

Stay tuned for the final announcement of the 2025-26 NHL Rookie of the Year!