Toronto’s Auston Matthews, Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine and Columbus’ Zach Werenski – all official partners of Bauer – are finalists for the Calder Trophy at the NHL Awards event in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.
“Auston, Patrik and Zach are extremely talented, dynamic young players who have stepped right into the NHL as elite professionals,” said Mary-Kay Messier, vice president of marketing, Bauer Hockey. “As rookies, they’ve all dazzled hockey fans and, more importantly, helped their teams improve with leadership-caliber performances and contributions.”
“Our Elite Athlete Services team, led by Jim Geary, has done a great job of building relationships with world class athletes and showing how Bauer can help them take their games to even higher levels,” Messier added. “Players like Auston, Patrik and Zach show their excitement and passion for hockey every time they get on the ice. They represent the young, dynamic players making an impact on fans and the game.”
Matthews scored 40 goals and had 69 points to set Toronto franchise rookie records and help lead the Maple Leafs back to the playoffs. The top pick in the 2016 draft was the standout first-year player on a young Toronto team that had another Calder candidate and Bauer athlete in William Nylander. Matthews, from Scottsdale, AZ, entered into an exclusive partnership with Bauer last June.
Laine had 36 goals and 28 assists, and helped the Jets improve to 87 points. The 6-foot-4 right winger from Finland was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 draft.
Laine signed as a Bauer athlete in December and, like Matthews, wears Vapor 1X skates.
Werenski, the eighth overall selection in the 2015 draft, led all rookie defensemen with 47 points on 11 goals and 36 assists. Werenski, from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, wears Vapor 1X skates and uses a Nexus 1N stick.
Photo courtesy NHL
