New York Islanders star Matthew Schaefer, Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov and Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes headline the 2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team.
Schaefer and Demidov were runaway selections in the voting conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, earning 194 and 195 points, respectively, to lead their positional groups, which were announced Friday. Dobes was the clear choice among rookie goaltenders with 151 points ahead of Minnesota Wild netminder Jesper Wallstedt.
For Schaefer, it highlights an impressive rookie season by the first-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Islanders defenceman became the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since 1992-93 after recording 23 goals and 59 points in 82 games.
His 23 goals tied the NHL record for a rookie defenceman, while his 59 points surpassed Phil Housley for the most ever by an 18-year-old blueliner.
Demidov led all rookies with 62 points, including 19 goals while appearing in all 82 games. The 20-year-old became just the seventh rookie in Canadiens history to reach the 60-point mark.
Dobes helped Montreal return to the playoffs for a second straight season, leading all rookie goaltenders with 29 wins in 43 appearances. He posted a 29-10-4 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.
Montreal became the first team since the Canadiens of the mid-1980s to place both a forward and a goaltender on the All-Rookie Team, with Demidov and Dobes following in the footsteps of Chris Chelios and Steve Penney (1984-85) and Kjell Dahlin and Patrick Roy (1985-86).
Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Alexander Nikishin, Anaheim Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke and St. Louis Blues forward Jimmy Snuggerud also made the team.
Nikishin finished second among rookie defensemen in voting after recording 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games. Sennecke narrowly trailed Demidov in the forward vote after posting 23 goals and 60 points while helping Anaheim return to the playoffs. Snuggerud secured the third forward spot after scoring 21 goals and 51 points in just 70 games.
2025-26 NHL All-Rookie Team Voting
Goaltenders
- Jakub Dobes (MTL) – 151 points
- Jesper Wallstedt (MIN) – 44 points
Defencemen
- Matthew Schaefer (NYI) – 194 points
- Alexander Nikishin (CAR) – 184 points
- Zeev Buium (VAN) – 9 points
Forwards
- Ivan Demidov (MTL) – 195 points
- Beckett Sennecke (ANA) – 191 points
- Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) – 136 points
