Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has been awarded the 2025 James Norris Memorial Trophy, recognizing him as the NHL's top defenseman for the 2024-25 season. The announcement was made by the National Hockey League on Wednesday, with Makar receiving the trophy during a surprise presentation in his hometown of Calgary.
This marks the second Norris Trophy win for the 26-year-old Makar, who previously won the award in the 2021-22 season. He becomes the 13th defenseman in NHL history to win the Norris Trophy multiple times and joins Erik Karlsson as the only active players to have achieved this feat. Makar has been a finalist for the Norris Trophy for the past five consecutive seasons, consistently demonstrating his exceptional talent and impact on the game.
Makar's outstanding performance throughout the 2024-25 season solidified his claim to the Norris Trophy. He led all NHL defensemen in scoring with 30 goals and 62 assists, totaling 92 points in 80 games. This made him the first defenseman to reach the 30-goal mark in a single season since Mike Green in 2008-09 and just the ninth defenseman in NHL history to achieve this milestone. Makar also became only the fifth defenseman to record back-to-back 90-point seasons, joining legendary players like Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis.
Makar's dominance wasn't limited to offensive statistics. He maintained a strong defensive presence, contributing significantly to the Avalanche's overall success. His impressive plus-minus rating of +28 ranked 11th among defensemen, and he averaged 25:43 of ice time per game, showcasing his reliability and importance to the team. Makar also recorded 128 blocked shots, the second-highest mark of his career, further highlighting his commitment to the defensive side of the game.
The voting for the Norris Trophy saw Makar as the clear frontrunner, securing 176 of the 191 first-place votes from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association (PHWA). Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski finished second in the voting, with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes placing third. The wide margin of Makar's victory underscores the widespread recognition of his exceptional abilities and contributions to the Avalanche.
In addition to his two Norris Trophies, Makar's impressive resume includes a Calder Memorial Trophy (awarded to the NHL's top rookie), a Conn Smythe Trophy (awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs), and a Stanley Cup championship, all achieved in his seven seasons in the NHL. His accomplishments at a young age place him among the league's elite defensemen and solidify his status as a rising star in the hockey world.
