Devils' Luke Hughes Finishes Third in Calder Trophy Voting

LAS VEGAS, N.V. -- On Thursday evening, New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes hit the 2024 NHL Awards red carpet dressed to the nines.

The 20-year-old defenseman was one of the three finalists along with Connor Bedard ( Chicago Blackhawks ) and Brock Faber ( Minnesota Wild ) for the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is an award given annually to the best rookie in the NHL as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

"I am pretty proud of myself and the year I had," Hughes said to NJDTV . "It is a really tough league and to be nominated in the top three is a pretty good accomplishment and I'm happy to be here."

During the award show, it was announced that Bedard took home the night's honors after earning 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games.

Hughes earned five second-place votes, 94 third-place votes, 52 fourth-place votes, and 25 fifth-place votes.

The youngest Hughes brother appeared in all 82 games this season after playing in the final two games of the 2022-23 campaign. He led all Devils defensemen with 47 points. Addtionally, he led rookie defensemen in power-play points (25), power-play goals (four) and was second in shots (135) and ice time per game (21:28).

Hughes older brother Quinn Hughes finished second in Calder Memorial Trophy voting behind Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar in the 2019-20 season .

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