What is the NHL's annual award for the best rookie called?

The NHL’s annual award for its best rookie is called the Calder Memorial Trophy. It goes to the player judged most proficient in their first year of NHL competition and is widely known as the league’s Rookie of the Year award.

The trophy is named for Frank Calder, the NHL’s first president, who served from the league’s creation in 1917 until his death in 1943. Rookie-of-the-year honors existed before the trophy was formally established, but the Calder Trophy was first presented after the 1936–37 season. After Calder died, the award was made permanent and renamed the Calder Memorial Trophy.

The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association votes for the winner after the regular season. Eligibility rules have evolved, including limits on previous NHL games and an age cutoff. The Calder is different from the Lady Byng Trophy, which recognizes sportsmanship, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, which goes to the leading goal scorer, and the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the top regular-season point scorer.