Denver, Colo. - The Colorado Avalanche and NHL announced on Wednesday morning that Cale Makar has been awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the second time in his career. Makar was surprised with the trophy by his friends and family during a round of golf. The James Norris Memorial Trophy, or simply just the Norris Trophy, is awarded at the end of every year "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position." Makar entered the league in the 2019-20 season. Since then, he's been nominated as a finalist for this award five times and has won it twice. Makar has become just the 14th defenseman with more than one Norris Trophy award win to his name. When he first won the trophy during the 2021-22 season, Makar led all defensemen in goals (28) and finished the season ranked 2nd in points (86). This past season, the star blueliner finished with 92 points, leading all defensemen in the NHL in points, goals, and assists. He became the first defenseman in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history to record a six-point game. He's the first skater in franchise history to record the feat since Milan Hejduk in 2007. Makar led the team in TOI/G with an average of 25:43 and ranked third in +/- with a +28 on the regular season. He tallied 92 points in 80 GP, leading all league defensemen in points, goals, and assists. His point total and tallied goals (30) broke their respective franchise records for a defenseman; the 30 goals also added Makar to the NHL history books as the ninth defenseman to reach the milestone, the first to do so in 16 years, since Mike Green achieved it in the 2008-09 season. The Colorado Avalanche Clinch Eighth Consecutive Playoff Berth After Resounding Win in Columbus [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5ef3d36e-d5d3-437e-9022-d7149c9907f7.jpeg] The Colorado Avalanche Clinch Eighth Consecutive Playoff Berth After Resounding Win in Columbus At the end of the 2016-17 season, the Colorado Avalanche finished dead last in a 30-team league, with a record of 22-56-4 and a total of 48 points. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/the-colorado-avalanche-clinch-eighth-consecutive-playoff-berth-after-resounding-win-in-columbus] The Calgary, Alberta native receives this accolade with a resounding win in votes. As voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, Makar led all voting with 1,861 points, followed by Columbus' Zach Werenski with 1,266 and Vancouver's Quinn Hughes with 981. Points are allocated based on voted rank: (10-7-5-3-1)
