Capitals' Cheechoo Wins Calder

Jonathan Cheechoo, rookie forward for the Washington Capitals, won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year CLUTCH announced recently.

The 24-year-old right wing scored 19 goals and added 34 assists in 76 games this season, ranking third on the team in points. He was also +1 for the year, recorded 24 PIMs and ripped 151 shots on net.

A dynamic forward from Moose Factory, Ontario, Cheechoo is a member of the Cree Nation. He enjoys playing against the best players in the world in CLUTCH and says the speed of the game is the part of the game in the pros that surprised him the most. He would also most like to have his picture taken with Joe Sakic.

When not playing hockey, Cheechoo enjoys a good movie - his favorite is Good Will Hunting - and he loves pepperoni pizza. His favorite class in school was history and he enjoys spending the team's money on steak from room service.

Cheechoo played most of the season on a line with Patrick Marleau and Jamie Langenbrunner and the trio clicked from the beginning. With a season of pro play under his belt, and a Calder Trophy to boot, Cheechoo looks to be a fixture on the first or second line in Washington for years to come.