Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Last season, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power and Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers were finishing up their college careers at the University of Michigan.
After their first full season in the NHL, both are finalists for the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner is the other finalist.
Powers and Beniers were the first two picks of the 2021 NHL Draft.
In 79 games this past season, Power scored four goals and 31 assists for 35 points. That wasn’t the impressive part, though.
Sabres head coach Don Granato wasn’t afraid to use Power in all situations, and increased his ice-time by a lot as the season went on. He averaged 23:48 of ice-time per-game, and his season high was 29:35 back on Nov. 12 against the Boston Bruins.
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Power’s 31 assists were third in rookie scoring, and his 35 points were eighth, two behind teammate Jack Quinn.
Only three other Sabres rookies have won the Calder Trophy: Tyler Myers, Gil Perreault and Tom Barrasso. Power and Perreault were both No. 1 overall picks.
Beniers helped pace Seattle with 24 goals and 33 assists for 57 points in 80 games. He led all rookies in scoring, and was second in assists. His 24 goals was tied for the rookie lead with Wyatt Johnston of the Dallas Stars.
In 50 games this season, Skinner was 29-14-5 with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. He represented the Pacific Division at the NHL All-Star Game.
The NHL Awards are set for June 26 in Nashville.
