When you talk about hockey players, everyone generally knows the big name stars like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin but most people don’t know about the rookies.  It’s unfortunate too, because the rookies are some of the most fun players to watch throughout the season.  They come in with a chip on their shoulder knowing they have to prove themselves or they’re out.  It’s a fierce competition but it’s also exciting to watch as they change and grow through that first season as a professional player.

The Calder Cup is an annual award given at the end of the each NHL season to the most proficient player in his first year in the league.  It has been awarded every year since the 1936-37 season, except for the 2004-05 lockout, and is decided upon by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.  This current season has had some of the greatest rookies come out in a long time so it’s going to be a tough decision; besides that, the players only had half a season to prove themselves.  Below are my top five rookie candidates.

1.  Cory Conacher - Tampa Bay Lightning

This Canadian center is my top pick for the Calder Trophy.  Last year in the AHL he won top rookie as well as the MVP so it’s only natural that Conacher would win as an NHL player also.  Skating alongside NHL star Steven Stamkos probably doesn’t hurt either, but Conacher leads the rookies in both points and assists.  He’s also set records within the Lightning franchise.

2.  Jonathan Huberdeau - Florida Panthers

Although playing for one of the league’s worst teams, first-round draft pick Huburdeau has proven his worth as a player.  He’s managed to stay neck-in-neck with Conacher for points this season and leads the rookies in goals scored.  Huburdeau has also set and tied some franchise records of his own; he even scored a goal and had two assist in his NHL debut.  His line, affectionately called the “kiddie club” has actually taken over last year’s top line.

3.  Brendan Gallagher - Montreal Canadiens

Though his hometown is Edmonton, Gallagher picked a stronger Canadian team to represent.  With 19 points overall this season, just 3-4 behind Huberdeau and Conacher, he has still made a stand among the league's rookies this year.  In January, he was tied for fourth in differential and tied for sixth in points.  In February, he led the rookies with two game-winning goals.  He has since added another.  Also in February, Gallagher received a 1st star for his game against the Flyers.  Though people had their doubts about Montreal this season, this petite winger has shown he can keep up with the other big kids and has been a pivotal point in the team’s success.

4.  Justin Schultz - Edmonton Oilers

Schultz, a second-round pick, is personally my favorite rookie to watch.  He’s eighth in points amongst fellow rookies, the highest ranked defender, because he is such a powerhouse on the ice.  Schultz is one of two rookies for the Oilers but he definitely outshines his fellow rookie, Nail Yakupov.  It was always great to watch him as a Badger because he was one of the teams highest scorers; that hasn’t changed.  The first half of the 2012-13 season Schultz played in the AHL for the Oklahoma City Barons where he was second in the league for points (18 goals, 30 assists) in only 34 games.

5.  Jake Allen - St. Louis Blues

Coincidentally also Canadian like my other four picks, Allen is the only goalie to make my list.  He is the only rookie goalie with a shutout this season and he leads his fellow rookies with the most wins, lowest goals against average, and has the second highest save percentage.  Allen’s career high of 39 saves is the most for any Blues goalies this season.  He stepped up in net in February and although he was a bit shaky at first, the Blues defense really took to him.  Allen has since become a stabilizer for the team.