“Definitely a huge honour” – Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman, Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi, Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar named Norris Trophy finalists

“Definitely a huge honour” – Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman, Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi, Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar named Norris Trophy finalists

Lightning's Victor Hedman, Predators' Roman Josi, Avalanche's Cale Makar

Victor Hedman, Roman Josi and Cale Makar on Monday were announced as finalists for the National Hockey League (NHL) 2021-22 Norris Trophy, awarded annually “to the best defenseman who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability in the position throughout the season.”

Tampa Bay’s Hedman is a final candidate for the Norris Trophy for the sixth consecutive season. The Swede ice hockey player won the award for the 2017-18 season, and placed third for each of 2016-17, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. 

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Nashville’s Josi is a Norris Trophy finalist for the second time in his NHL career after becoming the Predators’ first-ever winner of the award for his performance in 2019-20. During the 2021-22 edition, Josi, 31, became the highest-scoring defenseman in the last 29 years, claiming 23 goals and 96 points in 80 games.

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Just like Josi, Colorado’s Makar is also a Norris Trophy finalist for the second consecutive season, and will look to become the first-ever winner in Avalanche history. The youngster led all defensemen this season with 28 goals and was second in points (86) as one of Colorado’s most dynamic players in a franchise-record 119-point campaign. 

“Individual recognition is always great” 

Norris Trophy finalists
Norris Trophy finalists

“Well, it’s certainly a great honour once again,” Hedman said, as quoted by NHL.com. “For me, the trophy that matters most is the one we play for as a team, obviously, but to get the individual recognition is always great. Playing for this team is such an honour and without my teammates, I wouldn’t be in this situation. I owe everything to this organization and my teammates.”

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“Definitely a huge honour,” Josi said. “Nominated with those guys too. I mean, obviously Makar and Hedman, two unbelievable players and guys I loved watching them play, guys I love competing against. So it’s definitely a huge honour to be nominated with those guys.”

“Cale, obviously, my teammate and a (heck) of a player,” Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen said when comparing teammate Makar to Josi. “I think they both are really good defensemen. Probably a little different style. Both are really good offensively but also can defend well. But obviously, I’ll give my vote to Cale. You know how explosive he is. Twenty-something goals, almost 30. It’s not easy for defensemen to do.”

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