Boeser midseason favorite for Calder Trophy

To mark the midpoint of the 2017-18 season, NHL.com is running its third installment of the Trophy Tracker series this week. Today, we look at the race for the Calder Trophy.
The resume of Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser grows exponentially each passing week.

He joined some elite company when he was named NHL Rookie of the Month for December, becoming the first player since Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid to win the honor in consecutive months. (McDavid won it for February and March 2016.)
Boeser had eight goals and five assists in 13 games in December, when he had at least one point in nine games playing most of the month with Sam Gagner and Thomas Vanek instead of regular linemates Bo Horvat (broken ankle) and Sven Baertschi (broken jaw).
On Wednesday, Boeser was named to the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game, the lone rookie to receive that honor.
"It's really fun when you're having success, but for me it's the team success," Boeser said. "We're all working hard and those chances are coming from hard work."
RELATED: [Kucherov remains favorite for Hart Trophy | Doughty leads Norris Trophy race at midseason]
No other player in Canucks history has won NHL Rookie of the Month in back-to-back months, including Hockey Hall of Famer Pavel Bure, who won it once.
A panel of 18 NHL.com staff members picked Boeser for the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL at midseason. The 20-year-old received 82 points (15 first-place votes), edging New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, who received 67 points (two first-place votes). Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy was third (31), Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller was fourth (29; one first-place vote), and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev was fifth (19).
"There's a lot of rookies in the League and a lot of guys who are having great years; you pay attention to that and it's good to see," Boeser said. "But I try not to worry about that and maintain my focus within the team."
Boeser is not only a candidate for the Calder, but he's also in the running for the Rocket Richard Trophy as the League's leading goal-scorer; his 22 goals are tied for fifth with Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson and Islanders center John Tavares. He leads NHL rookies with 40 points and 15 power-play points, is second with 112 shots on goal (Keller, 118), and ranks sixth among those who have played at least 15 games with a 19.3 shooting percent.

Boeser scored his 20th goal of the season in his 34th game, against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 23. Three rookies since 1991-92 have reached 20 in fewer games: Eric Lindros (26 in 1992-93), Teemu Selanne (27 in 1992-93) and Alex Ovechkin (33 in 2005-06).
New Jersey Devils rookie defenseman Will Butcher, who was ninth in the midseason Calder voting (three points), recalled playing against Boeser when he was at the University of Denver and Boeser was at the University of North Dakota.
"[Boeser's] shot is what I remember most; he had an NHL-caliber shot," Butcher said. "He's a big-time player and makes plays all over the ice. He's dangerous when he has the puck. He's pretty effective in 5-on-5 chances-for, so it goes to show you he's making a difference when he's out there."
Boeser has a knack for accuracy; 54.4 percent of his shots attempted at even strength were on goal entering Vancouver's game Tuesday at Washington, according to HockeyReference.com.
"I had a little transitioning earlier in the season to get back into things this season, but I think it's the guys around you who make it easier," Boeser said. "The players are a lot smarter and communicate better, so no matter where you're coming from, that's what makes it easier."
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis):Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks, 82 points (15 first-place votes); Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders, 67 points (two first-place votes); Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins, 31 points; Clayton Keller, Arizona Coyotes, 29 points (one first-place vote); Mikhail Sergachev, Tampa Bay Lightning, 19 points; Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils, 10 points; Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets, 6 points; Alex DeBrincat, Chicago Blackhawks, 4 points; Will Butcher, New Jersey Devils, 3 points; Danton Heinen, Boston Bruins, 2 points; Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils, 2 points; Yanni Gourde, Tampa Bay Lightning, 1 point