Panthers' Aaron Ekblad wins Calder Trophy as NHL's top rookie

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

With 71 first-place votes, Ekblad edged Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone and Calgary Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau, becoming the youngest defenseman to win the Calder since Bobby Orr in 1967.

Ekblad did most of the work in his inaugural NHL season as an 18-year-old, turning 19 in February.

Ekblad finished second among rookie defensemen and eighth among all rookies with 39 points. Only Dallas Stars blue-liner John Klingberg had more points among rookie defensemen than Ekblad, who appeared in 16 more games.

The 6-foot-4, 216-pound rearguard finished fourth in average ice time among rookies, logging 21:48 in 81 games.