We’re not sure how well Cale Makar’s golf game was going when he received the news that would send a ripple of celebration through the Colorado hockey faithful. Fresh off the course, the 26-year-old offensive-minded defenseman learned he’d been honored with the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the second time in his career—an award bestowed upon “the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position,” as selected—nearly unanimously—by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
“Any time you get recognized for something like this, it’s very cool,” Makar said upon hearing his name had topped the voting tally for the second time. “It’s very special to be able to (win) this a second time. To have the group of guys that we did—it seems cliché to say, but it’s truly a team award. We had a fun year and it’ll be more fun hopefully continuing, but this one’s for them.”
Over the 2024–25 season, Makar was simply unstoppable. In 80 games, he led all NHL defensemen with 30 goals and 62 assists for a staggering 92 points—a Norris-worthy achievement. His opening 13-game point streak set the tone for what would become one of the most productive campaigns ever by a blueliner.
Beyond the points, Makar logged an average 25:43 time on ice, a testament to the coaching staff’s trust in his ability to control a game. His Corsi For percentage of 56.6% and offensive zone start rate of 60.8% underscored how often Colorado leaned on his offensive super powers to flip the script in their favor. And despite that oft-used offensive focus, he still chipped in a +28 plus/minus, ultimately the dream in two-way play.
When the final ballots were tallied, Makar captured 176 of 191 first-place votes and amassed 1,861 voting points—easily outdistancing runner-up Zach Werenski (13 first-place votes, 1,266 points) of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Quinn Hughes (two first-place votes, 918 points) of the Vancouver Canucks. Hughes had hoped to emulate Hall-of-Famer Nicklas Lidström’s three-peat from 2005–06 through 2007–08, but instead stood in the shadow of Colorado’s star, himself a finalist in five of the last six years.
By winning twice before turning 27, Makar joined some of hockey’s most hallowed company. Only Bobby Orr (eight Norris Trophies), Denis Potvin (three), Paul Coffey (three), Rod Langway (two), and Erik Karlsson (two) have hoisted multiple Norris trophies at such a young age. Such a rarefied fraternity, and Makar’s 2024–25 campaign will go down as one of the more dominant displays of offensive defense the NHL has ever seen.
True to his humble nature, Cale’s insistence about it being a team award points to the group effort that powered Colorado to 102 regular-season points. And he does have a stellar cast around him, including last season’s MVP. That said, Makar’s legacy in Colorado is already secure—his jersey sales, highlight clips, and highlight-worthy saves on the scoreboard all attest to that. But it’s the championship banners hanging in Ball Arena’s rafters that will define him. If his first Norris marked him as the league’s premier puck-moving defenseman, his second confirms he’s no flash in the pan. It cements him as the cornerstone of a dynasty waiting to be built. To build on that legacy, the next ‘nother a powerhouse like Cale can bring starts with Stanley.
