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Ekblad in mix for top rookie

Teenage blueliner is one of three finalists for Calder Trophy

- By Harvey Fialkov Staff writer

Panthers teenage defenseman Aaron Ekblad may not be old enough to gamble in the MGM Grand, but he certainly proved he can hold his own with grown men on the ice during a rookie season filled with gaudy milestones.

That’s why Ekblad has an excellent chance to become the second Panthers player in franchise history to win the coveted Calder Memorial Trophy. The rookie of the year honor will be announced during the NHL awards show in Las Vegas at 7 p.m. (on NBCSN) Wednesday.

Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who won the Calder in 2013, said: “Person- ally, it was nice to have your first season under your belt and then winning the trophy was like a cherry on your sundae.

“Just the way he talks,” he said of Ekblad, “he just didn’t seem like he was 18, and then when I saw him on the ice, I said, ‘Holy cow, he’s not 18. Check his passport.’

“He’s truly unbelievab­le, and this year is his party and hopefully, he can end the party with the trophy.’’

Ekblad is up against fellow Calder finalists Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames — a speedy left winger — and Ottawa Senators right winger Mark Stone. They tied for rookie scoring honors with 64 points apiece while helping lead their teams to the playoffs.

Stone, who at 23 is four years older than Ekblad, led all rookies with a plus-21ice rating, compared with Gaudreau, 21, who notched a plus-11 with a rookie-leading 40 assists.

“The competitio­n is pretty unreal for this award, and there are a couple of names who were left out who definitely could have made a case for it,’’ Ekblad said Tuesday via phone. “It’s pretty cool to see who wins it.

“I’ve been able to share this with my family and everything, so whether I win or lose it’s been a great experience for sure.’’

However, several hockey writers — who vote for the award — believe that Ekblad, the No.1draft pick a year ago, is the front-runner because of the rugged position he plays and the variety of roles in which he was used by coach Gerard Gallant.

All Ekblad did was eclipse Ed Jovanovski’s 19-year-old franchise record for goals (10) and points (21) by a rookie defenseman with 39 points (12 goals). His point total was third highest notched by an 18-year-old blueliner in NHL history, behind Phil Housley’s 66 points (1982-83) and the 41 tallied by Bobby Orr (1966-67), Ekblad’s agent and Hall of Fame Bruins great.

Ekblad averaged 21:49 ice time, second most on the Panthers, while tying for the team lead with a plus-12 rating (second best among rookie defensemen).

Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon, a former NHL defenseman himself, always says it takes about 300 games for an NHL defenseman to reach his potential, but he had a feeling that the 6-foot-4 and sturdy Ekblad would be the exception.

“When we saw him in rookie camp he was OK. In training camp he struggled a little bit. Then as soon as the first game started, it was like a switch went on,’’ Tallon said recently. “You couldn’t ask for anything more. He played like a veteran.

“I think he’s way ahead of the curve. … Overall, an outstandin­g year, and he deserves to be rookie of the year.”

Ekblad was chosen for the skills competitio­n at the AllStar Game in Columbus, but then played in the actual game as an injury replacemen­t and notched four assists. After the regular season, Ekblad helped Team Canada win the IIHF World Championsh­ip gold medal in Prague by leading all defensemen with four goals.

“It was a long year, but a year with a lot of different accolades, ups and downs,’’ Ekblad said. “Looking back on it, it’s pretty special to be here, and I’m happy about it.’’

 ?? AP FILE PHOTO ?? Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad, 18, averaged 21:49 ice time in his rookie season, second most on the Panthers, while tying for the team lead with a plus-12 rating.
AP FILE PHOTO Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad, 18, averaged 21:49 ice time in his rookie season, second most on the Panthers, while tying for the team lead with a plus-12 rating.
 ?? AP FILE PHOTO ?? Florida’s Aaron Ekblad, left, compiled a point total (39) that was the third highest by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history, behind Phil Housley (66) and Bobby Orr (41).
AP FILE PHOTO Florida’s Aaron Ekblad, left, compiled a point total (39) that was the third highest by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history, behind Phil Housley (66) and Bobby Orr (41).

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