Blake Wheeler for the Calder

Back during the 2005-06 NHL season, it was readily acknowledged that the race for the Calder Trophy for NHL Rookie of the Year was more or less over when Washington’s Alex Ovechkin scored this show-stopper of a goal against the Phoenix Coyotes.↵
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↵On Sunday in St. Louis, we may very well have seen a similar moment, when Boston’s rookie winger Blake Wheeler scored two goals in the first five minutes of the game against the Blues, including this brilliant shorthanded score that has to immediately become a nominee for goal of the year:↵

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When you watch that clip again, remember this: Wheeler isn’t exactly Zach Parise-sized. Instead, that sort of speed and skill comes packed into a 6’4” 220 pound frame.↵↵As many of you might recall, Wheeler was drafted fifth overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, but failed to come to terms with the team that drafted him, the Phoenix Coyotes. Granted unrestricted free agency, he signed with the Bruins over the Summer, made the team in training camp and has scored 11 goals in 33 games thus far this season. And did I forget to mention that he’s an American citizen? That’s something that probably hasn’t escaped the notice of the GM of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team.↵

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