Two Washington Capitals rookies received consideration for the 2026 Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.
Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdif both earned votes for their efforts during the 2025-26 season, which was each’s first full NHL campaign.
Leonard finished eighth in voting, receiving one third-place vote, four fourth-place votes, and 19 fifth-place votes. Sourdif finished 12th, receiving one fourth-place vote and one fifth-place vote.
Calder Trophy voting
Leonard finished fifth in overall rookie scoring with 45 points (20g, 25a) in 75 games. He became just the eighth Capitals rookie to ever score 20 goals in a season and the first since Alex Ovechkin (2005-06). In the Capitals’ franchise history, Leonard’s 45 points rank 10th all-time among rookie skaters in a single season. The only two Caps rookies after the 1982-83 season to record more points than Leonard are Ovechkin (106) and Nicklas Backstrom (69).
Sourdif finished tied for eighth in rookie scoring with 35 points (15g, 20a) in 78 games. The 24-year-old forward began the season as a winger on the team’s fourth line and ended the campaign as one of their most dependable centers. With Sourdif on the ice at five-on-five, the Capitals outscored their opposition 47 to 28, the second-best goals-for percentage (62.7 percent) on the team.
New York Islanders defender Matthew Schaefer was voted the undisputed winner of the trophy, earning all 198 first-place votes. Schaefer, the number-one overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, recorded 59 points (23g, 36a) in 82 games this past year.
The 18-year-old defender found out he had won the honor live on Good Morning America, surprised by his dad and family with the trophy.
Schaefer became the first defenseman in more than 90 years to lead all rookies in goals, and his 23 goals matched the single-season NHL record for a rookie blueliner. His 59 points also surpassed Phil Housley (57) for the most by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history. Schaefer is the youngest Calder Trophy winner in NHL history.
