advertisement

Hawks’ Crawford snubbed in rookie voting

Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford will not win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

The NHL on Tuesday announced the three finalists for the prestigious trophy based on voting by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, and the winner will be one of three forwards: San Jose’s Logan Couture, Carolina’s Jeff Skinner or the Islanders’ Michael Grabner.

“That’s the least of my worries right now,” Crawford said as he prepared for Tuesday’s do-or-die Game 4 against the Canucks. “I’ve got bigger and more important things to think about and focus on.”

Crawford was snubbed by writers despite going 33-18-6 with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage, and leading the Hawks to the playoffs after taking the No. 1 job from veteran Marty Turco.

Skinner led all rookies with 63 points, including 31 goals. Grabner scored 34 goals for the lowly Islanders, while Couture had 32 goals, 10 of them on the power play and 8 that were game-winners.

At the very least, Crawford’s teammates thought he deserved to be a finalist.

“It was a surprise to me because he won so many games,” Marian Hossa said.

“He’s been unbelievable for us this season and was a big reason why we were able to make the playoffs,” Troy Brouwer said.

Bolland key in Hawks' rout of Canucks