Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, Zach Werenski named finalists for 2025 Norris Trophy

The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Tuesday that Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets are the three finalists for the 2024-25 James Norris Memorial Trophy.

The Norris Trophy is awarded “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.”

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) submitted ballots for the Norris Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.

Hughes led all Canucks sakters with 76 points, 192 shots on goal and 25:44 minutes of ice time per game. He led the Canucks by 26 points. Hughes reached the 60-assist mark for the fourth straight season, becoming just the fourth defenseman in league history to complete that feat. He joins the likes of Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and Paul Coffey. Hughes now sits tied with Alex Edler for most points by a defenseman in franchise history with 409. The reigning Norris winner is looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Nicklas Lidstrom.

Makar led all NHL defenseman with 30 goals and 92 points and opened the season with a 13-game point streak, the second longest to start a campaign since Orr. Makar became the first defenseman to reach the 30-goal mark since Mike Green in 2008-09. Makar is a Norris Trophy finalist for the fifth time in his first six NHL seasons, after winning the award in 2021-22.

Werenski became the first Blue Jackets defenseman in history to lead the team in points as he did so, notching 23 goals and 59 assists for 82 points. Werenski ranked second among NHL defensemen in goals and points, was fourth in assists and led all NHL players in average ice time. Werenski is a Norris Trophy finalist for the first time in his career.