NHL Announces 2025-26 All-Rookie Team: Full Roster and Voting Results

The National Hockey League and the Professional Hockey Writers Association have officially named the 2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team. The roster features Calder Memorial Trophy finalists Matthew Schaefer, Ivan Demidov, and Beckett Sennecke, alongside goaltender Jakub Dobes, defenseman Alexander Nikishin, and forward Jimmy Snuggerud.

Did You Know? New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer became the first unanimous winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy since the 1992-93 season, finishing his debut year with 59 points.

The 2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team Roster

The selection, determined by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, highlights the top-performing first-year players across the league. The lineup includes:

Goaltender: Jakub Dobes (Montreal Canadiens)
Defensemen: Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders), Alexander Nikishin (Carolina Hurricanes)
Forwards: Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens), Beckett Sennecke (Anaheim Ducks), Jimmy Snuggerud (St. Louis Blues)

Impact and Performance Metrics

The roster represents a shift in rookie production, particularly among defensemen and goaltenders. According to league data, Montreal’s Jakub Dobes led all rookie goaltenders with 29 wins, contributing to the Canadiens’ second consecutive playoff appearance. His 29-10-4 record places him among elite company in franchise history, joining the ranks of former Montreal goaltenders Carey Price, Patrick Roy, and Steve Penney.

Offensively, Ivan Demidov led all rookies with 62 points, while Matthew Schaefer’s 23 goals tied the NHL record for a rookie defenseman of any age. Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes established a new franchise record for goals by a rookie defenseman with 11, providing critical support for the team’s divisional title run.

Expert Insight: This All-Rookie class demonstrates a high level of immediate impact, particularly with three players—Schaefer, Demidov, and Sennecke—earning Calder Trophy finalist status. The significant ice time logged by players like Schaefer, who led all rookies with over 2,000 minutes, suggests that modern teams are increasingly comfortable placing heavy defensive responsibilities on first-year skaters.

What Happens Next

With the All-Rookie status solidified, analysts expect these players to face increased scrutiny as they transition into their sophomore seasons. Historical trends indicate that players who log high minutes, such as Schaefer and the 82-game participants Demidov and Sennecke, often face physical adjustments in their second year. For franchises like the Anaheim Ducks and Montreal Canadiens, these players are expected to serve as core components of their respective rebuilding or playoff-contention strategies moving forward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who led the voting for the forwards?
Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens led the forward voting with 195 points, followed closely by Beckett Sennecke with 191 points.

Which defenseman recorded the most hits?
Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes led all rookie defensemen with 132 body checks.

How many games did the top rookie scorers play?
Ivan Demidov, Matthew Schaefer, and Beckett Sennecke each played in all 82 games of the 2025-26 regular season.

Which of these standout rookies do you expect to see make the biggest leap in production next season?