Add some more hardware to Cale Makar’s cabinet.
The Colorado Avalanche defenceman won his second Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman, the league announced on Wednesday.
Makar was presented with the award during a golf outing with some friends in his hometown of Calgary.
Makar beat out Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes and Columbus’ Zach Werenski for the honour. It was his fifth consecutive year being nominated for the award.
The 26-year-old from Calgary became just the ninth defenceman to score 30 goals in a season and led all blue liners in goals (30), assists (62) and points (92). It was his second consecutive season of at least 90 points.
Makar was surprised with the trophy midway through a golf outing by his parents, wife, family and friends.
In addition to his two Norris Trophies, Makar also claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy when the Avalanche won the 2022 Stanley Cup.
Makar opened the season with a 13-game point streak, the second-longest season-opening run by a defenceman only behind a 15-game stretch by Bobby Orr.
He was the first blue liner to reach the 30-goal mark since Washington’s Mike Green in 2009.
Werenski, who finished second, was a finalist for the Norris for the first time in his career in his ninth season. He set career highs with 23 goals and 82 points to help the Blue Jackets stay in the playoff race right until the last days of the season.
The third-place Hughes won the trophy last season and followed that up with 16 goals and 76 points in just 68 games. It was his third consecutive season of at least 76 points.
Makar claimed 176 first-place votes to 13 for Werenski and two for Hughes. Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey and Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman rounded out the top five.
