LAS VEGAS – The National Hockey League announced the 2015-16 NHL All-Rookie Team, including the three players voted as finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the League’s top rookie: forwards Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks as well as defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Also named to the 2015-16 NHL All-Rookie Team are forward Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres, defenseman Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues and goaltender John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks.
Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season. Following is a summary of each NHL All-Rookie Team member’s outstanding campaign:
GOALTENDER
John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
Gibson, a second-round selection (39th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft, went 21-13-4 with a 2.07 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and four shutouts in 40 appearances to help the Ducks capture the William M. Jennings Trophy. He shared first place among rookies in wins and also paced rookie goaltenders in goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts (minimum: 25 GP). Overall, Gibson ranked second in the entire NHL in goals-against average, tied for eighth in shutouts and 12th in save percentage. The 22-year-old Pittsburgh native is Anaheim’s third All-Rookie Team selection in the past three seasons, joining Frederik Andersen and Hampus Lindholm in 2013-14.
DEFENSEMEN (in alphabetical order)
Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers
Gostisbehere, a third-round pick (78th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, led rookie defensemen in goals (17), assists (29), points (46), power-play goals (8), power-play points (22) and game-winning goals (5) while playing in 64 contests. He also scored four overtime goals, setting a League record for any rookie while matching a single-season record for any defenseman. Gostisbehere posted a 15-game point streak Jan. 19 – Feb. 20 (5-13—18), an NHL record for a rookie defenseman as well as a franchise record for any rookie. The 23-year-old Pembroke Pines, Fla., native is Philadelphia’s first All-Rookie Team selection since Joni Pitkanen in 2003-04.
Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues
Parayko, a fellow third-round selection (86th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, ranked second among rookie defensemen in goals (9), assists (t-24) and points (33) while appearing in 79 games. He also paced all rookie skaters with a +28 rating, which ranked fifth in the entire League and set a franchise rookie record. Parayko scored his first two NHL goals Oct. 13 at CGY, becoming the first Blues rookie defenseman with a multi-goal performance since 2000-01 (Peter Smrek). The 23-year-old St. Albert, Alta., native is St. Louis’ second consecutive All-Rookie Team selection, following Jake Allen in 2014-15.
FORWARDS (in alphabetical order)
Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
Eichel, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2015 NHL Draft, ranked second among rookies in goals (24) and points (56) while playing in 81 games. He also led all rookies in power-play goals (t-8) and shots on goal (238) while placing in the top three in game-winning goals (t-2nd; 5), assists (t-3rd; 32) and power-play points (3rd; 21). At 19 years, 131 days, Eichel became the youngest player in Sabres history to reach the 20-goal milestone. He also became the ninth rookie in franchise history to reach the 50-point plateau – and first since 1993-94 (Derek Plante). The North Chelmsford, Mass., native is Buffalo’s first All-Rookie Team selection since Jhonas Enroth in 2011-12.
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
McDavid, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, ranked fourth among rookies with 16-32—48 despite appearing in only 45 games due to injury. His average of 1.07 points per game led all rookies and placed third in the entire League. McDavid recorded multiple points in 12 of his 45 outings, highlighted by a five-point game Feb. 11 vs. TOR (2-3—5). At 19 years, 29 days, he became the ninth-youngest player in NHL history to register a five-point performance (as well as the third rookie in Oilers history to achieve the feat). The Richmond Hill, Ont., native is Edmonton’s first All-Rookie Team selection since Justin Schultz in 2012-13.
Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks
Panarin, who signed with the Blackhawks in May 2015, led all rookies in goals (30), assists (47), points (77), power-play goals (t-8), power-play assists (16), power-play points (24) and game-winning goals (7) while skating in 80 contests. He became the fourth rookie in franchise history to reach the 30-goal milestone and the first to do so since 1995-96 (Eric Daze). That included his first career hat trick Feb. 17 at NYR, the first by any Blackhawks rookie since 2002-03 (Tyler Arnason). The 24-year-old Korkino, Russia, native is Chicago’s first All-Rookie Team selection since Brandon Saad in 2012-13.
2015-16 NHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
GP W L OT GAA SV% SO
G John Gibson, ANA 40 21 13 4 2.07 .920 4
GP G A PTS +/- TOI/G
D Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI 64 17 29 46 8 20:05
D Colton Parayko, STL 79 9 24 33 28 19:23
F Jack Eichel, BUF 81 24 32 56 -16 19:07
F Connor McDavid, EDM 45 16 32 48 -1 18:53
F Artemi Panarin, CHI 80 30 47 77 8 18:31
