Sports betting fans have come to love wagering on the hardware showcased at the NHL awards each June. One of the greatest awards to bet upon is the winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy. The Calder Memorial is a trophy given out to the league’s top freshman for their outstanding play. In the middle of the decade, the NHL and sportsbooks alike had their hands full as many betting online fans and league executives could not determine who to pick for the Calder Trophy.

In the 2005 to 2006 season, after losing a year due to the lockout, the NHL immediately regained a ton of fans with the debuts of both Sidney Crosby the 2005 entry draft first overall selection, and the 2004 first overall pick, Alexander Ovechkin. As a result of the lockout the year prior, both rookies who essentially had MVP caliber years were in a heated battle for the league’s Calder Memorial Trophy. Ultimately it would go to Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Thus far in their illustrious careers, the Calder Memorial is the one trophy that Ovechkin has and Crosby does not. Conversely, Crosby has a Stanley Cup ring while Ovechkin is still waiting for his.

The Calder Memorial Trophy was first given out to the top player in their first year, during the 1936 to 1937 season. Prior to the 36 to 37 season, rookie of the year honors were handed out starting in the 32 to 33 season. The Calder Memorial is named after legendary NHL president Frank Calder, who ran the league from its creation in 1917 to his death in 1943. Although the Calder Trophy was initially awarded in 1936 to 1937, the award was not officially named the Calder Memorial until after Frank Calder passed in 1943.