Schaefer, Demidov highlight 2025-26 NHL all-rookie team
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has already taken home the 2026 Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, but there are still honors to be had for other first-year players from this past season.
On Friday, the NHL announced the 2025-26 All-Rookie team, which comprises the top goaltender, two defenseman, and three forwards among first-year players from the 2025-26 season.
The National Hockey League announced today the 2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team, which includes Calder Memorial Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer as well as finalists Ivan Demidov and Bennett Sennecke. Details: media.nhl.com/public/news/19…
The team, which includes Schaefer and Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes on defense, Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens, Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks, and Jimmy Snuggerud of the St. Louis Blues at forward, and Jakub Dobes of the Canadiens as the goaltender, was voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the end of the regular season.
Schaefer was the surest bet to make this team, as he led all rookie defensemen in scoring with 59 points, played all 82 regular season games, and became the first unanimous winner of the Calder Trophy since Teemu Selanne in 1993. Nikishin finshished second among rookie defenseman with 33 points, and has played an important for the Hurricanes in their path to the Stanley Cup Final.
Demidov led all rookies in scoring with 62 points in all 82 games, and was also the most productive rookie in the playoffs with nine points in 19 games, helping Montreal get to the Eastern Conference Final. Sennecke was just two points shy of Demidov with 60 points in 82 games, though he did tie with Schaefer for the most goals among rookies with 23. Snuggerud finished fourth among rookies in scoring, and third among rookie forwards, with 51 points in 70 games.
Dobes put up a 29-10-4 record in 43 appearances this season, sporting a .901 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average. He also started all 19 playoff games for the Canadiens.
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium, Washington Capitals forward Ryan Leonard, and Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt were the next closest vote getters at their respective positions.