Blues Defenseman Barret Jackman is Awarded the Calder Trophy

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, June 13th, 2003

St. Louis Blues defenseman Barret Jackman was awarded the Calder Trophy, presented to the National Hockey Leagues Rookie of the Year as voted on by the Pro Hockey Writer's Association. The award was presented on June 12th at the 2003 NHL Awards Show in Toronto.

Jackman received 39 of 62 first place votes and 506 total points, 44 more than first runner-up Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Redwings, who many favored to win the award. Zetterberg lead all NHL Rookies in points and goals. Typically, offensive numbers are strongly considered when voting for the rookie of the year. However, Jackman's contributions to his team as a solid defensive defensman in the absence of Blue's Captain, All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger could not be overlooked. Jackman spent the season on the Blue's #1 defensive pairing along with future Hall of Famer and Norris Trophy finalist Al MacInnis. Jackman is a one dimensional player and many thought that would hurt his chances to win the honor, but his mature play during his rookie campaign impressed the media. 

In my opinion, Jackman was more like the NHL's rookie MVP as opposed to "best all around rookie" as the NHL defines the Calder Trophy. Jackman undoubtably was more important to the success of the Blues than Zetterberg was to the success of the Redwings. However, Zetterberg was the better all around player, showing flashes of offensive brilliance combined with solid defensive play. Zetterberg spent time on both Detroit's powerplay and penalty kill units. Zetterberg drew praise from Redwing's head coach Dave Lewis and veteran linemate Brett Hull.

Zetterberg is just one of many Detroit Redwings to be runner-up in the Calder race in recent years. Superstar veterans Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, and Niklas Lidstrom were all finalists. Goalie Roger Crozier was the last Redwing to win the Calder Trophy in 1965

ZETTERBERG NAMED TO 2003 ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

Forwards:

Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Redwings

Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets

Tyler Arnason, Chicago Blackhawks

Defensemen:

Barret Jackman, St. Louis Blues

Jay Bouwmeester, Florida Panthers

Goalie:

Sebastien Caron, Pittsburg Penguins.

NHL Fans Vote Zetterberg Rookie of the Year.

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, June 13th, 2003

Over 76,000 fans voted at NHL.com on who they believed should win the Calder Trophy. 44.6% chose Henrik Zetterberg as the Rookie of the Year compared to 29.9 for Jackman

and 25.5 for Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The customer is always right!                                   

Zetterberg Gets Players Vote For Rookie of the Year.

Top Rookie? Score One for Zetterberg!

By Kara Yorio, The Sporting News, June 3rd, 2003

Fans hotly debated who was the season's best rookie, but the player's voting showed it was more clear-cut for them. Detroit Redwings left winger Henrik Zetterberg received 109 of 263 votes, becoming the Sporting News' Rookie of the Year. Zetterberg led rookies in scoring with 44 points and in goals with 22. He was fourth in goals scored on a team of veteran stars, finishing behind Sergei Fedorov, Brett Hull, and Brendan Shanahan. Blues defenseman Barret Jackman was second with 54 votes, and Blue Jackets left winger Rick Nash was third with 33.

ZETTERBERGFAN'S TAKE:What could mean more than earning the respect of your peers? Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Redwings was named Rookie of the Year by the NHL Players that he played with and against. Although it is not the Calder Trophy (voted on by just 62 National sports writers), in my mind this election carries a lot of weight.

Comparing Calder Candidates