Demidov captured every one of the 195 ballots cast for the 2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team forward positions.
Record-Breaking Defensemen Lead Selections
Schaefer posted 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points in 82 games, establishing new NHL marks for goals and points by an 18-year-old defenseman.
Nikishin recorded 11 goals and 22 assists in 81 games, the highest goal total by any rookie blueliner in Carolina or Hartford franchise history.
Schaefer also became the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since Selanne in 1992-93 after receiving all first-place votes from the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Nikishin led all rookie defensemen with 123 hits, outpacing the next closest rookie blueliner by a wide margin.
The two defensemen combined for 92 points while playing 163 games, a total unmatched by any prior rookie pairing from separate teams.
Forward Scoring Depth Defines Class
Demidov finished with 62 points in 82 games, becoming the seventh Canadiens rookie to reach the 60-point threshold in a single season.
Sennecke matched Schaefer’s 23-goal total and accumulated 60 points in 82 games, placing second among all rookies in scoring.
Snuggerud produced 21 goals and 30 assists in only 70 games, including a league-leading 27 points from rookies after the Olympic break.
Leonard finished fourth among forwards despite trailing the third-place vote-getter by 117 points under the one-vote-per-ballot system.
Seventeen rookies received at least one ballot mention across the six roster spots.
Goaltending Anchor Completes Squad
Dobes recorded 29 wins, the highest total among first-year netminders, while posting a 2.78 goals-against average that ranked third among qualifying rookies.
Wallstedt placed 107 votes behind Dobes in goaltender voting despite appearing on multiple ballots.
Dobes also ranked fifth among rookie goalies with at least 10 appearances in save percentage at .901.
The 195-voter panel applied strict majority thresholds rather than weighted points, producing margins exceeding 100 votes for several non-selected candidates.
Buium finished third among defensemen, 175 votes behind the second selected blueliner under the same system.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.