- Matthew Schaefer and Ivan Demidov were the only unanimous picks for the 2025-26 All-Rookie Team
- Montreal landed two players on the list with Demidov and goalie Jakub Dobes
- Read below for the full six-man rookie team and the numbers behind it
The NHL unveiled its 2025-26 All-Rookie Team on Friday, and the top of the ballot looked familiar.
Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov were the only two unanimous picks. Schaefer swept every Calder ballot last month, so seeing his name in bold here is no shock.
The Professional Hockey Writers Association handed out six spots. Jakub Dobes drew the nod in goal, Schaefer and Carolina’s Alexander Nikishin made it on defense, and Demidov joined Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke and St. Louis’ Jimmy Snuggerud up front.
Schaefer ran away with this rookie class. The 18-year-old became the youngest Calder winner in league history, tied for the rookie goal lead with 23, and set a record for goals by a rookie defenseman. Ray Bourque already put him in the same breath as Gretzky, Lemieux and Crosby.
Demidov gave Montreal its headliner up front. He led all rookies with 62 points on 19 goals and 43 assists, and he didn’t miss a single game.
The kid made it look easy most nights:
Sennecke nearly stole the show in Anaheim. He shared the rookie goal lead with 23 and piled up 60 points as the Ducks got back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Montreal was the only team with two players on the list. Dobes led all rookie goalies with 29 wins, eight clear of the next-closest guy. Nikishin set a Hurricanes record for a rookie blueliner with 11 goals, and Snuggerud chipped in 21 of his own for the Blues.
Four top-five draft picks, a third-rounder on the Carolina blue line, and a fifth-round goalie in Montreal. Strong class top to bottom.
