### Cale Makar Shines Again: Wins Second Norris Trophy and All-Star Honors Cale Makar, the standout defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche, has made headlines by winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the second time in four seasons, solidifying his status as one of the NHL's elite players. Makar's exceptional performance this season, which included scoring 30 goals and accumulating 92 points, has not only earned him individual accolades but also contributed to the Avalanche's recognition, as he and teammate Nathan Mackinnon were named to the First Team Postseason All-Stars. This marks the third time in franchise history that two Avalanche players have received First Team honors in the same season, showcasing the team's competitive prowess in the league. ### Breakdown of Makar's Achievements and Recognition 1. **Norris Trophy Win**: - Makar won the Norris Trophy, awarded to the league's top defenseman, for the 2024-25 season, receiving 176 out of 191 first-place votes [https://www.nhl.com/news/colorado-avalanche-cale-makar-wins-2025-norris-trophy]. - This is his second Norris Trophy win, having previously won in the 2021-22 season [https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/makar-wins-2024-25-james-norris-memorial-trophy]. 2. **Statistical Highlights**: - Makar recorded 30 goals and 62 assists for a total of 92 points in 80 games, making him the first defenseman since Mike Green in 2008-09 to score 30 goals in a season [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/cale_makar_wins_second_norris_trophy_after_another_big_season]. - He averaged 25:43 minutes of ice time per game, ranking among the top defensemen in the league [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/colorado_avalanche_defenceman_cale_makar_wins_norris_trophy_again]. 3. **All-Star Recognition**: - Alongside Nathan Mackinnon, Makar was named to the First Team Postseason All-Stars, highlighting the duo's significant contributions to the Avalanche's success this season [https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/makar-mackinnon-first-team-all-star]. ### Supporting Evidence of Makar's Dominance - **Voting Breakdown**: Makar's dominance in the Norris Trophy voting was evident, as he received 176 first-place votes, significantly outpacing his competitors, Zach Werenski and Quinn Hughes [https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/colorados-cale-makar-wins-norris-trophy-as-leagues-top-defenseman-for-second-time-in-four-seasons]. - **Historical Context**: Makar becomes the 14th player in NHL history to win the Norris Trophy multiple times, joining an elite group of defensemen [https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/45492696/avalanc-cale-makar-wins-2nd-norris-top-nhl-defenseman]. - **Team Impact**: Despite the Avalanche's early playoff exit, Makar's individual performance has been a bright spot, reinforcing his value to the team and the league [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/avalanches_cale_makar_wins_2025_james_norris_memorial_trophy/s1_16448_42314708]. ### Conclusion: Makar's Legacy Continues to Grow Cale Makar's achievements this season underscore his status as one of the premier defensemen in the NHL. His second Norris Trophy win, combined with his selection to the First Team Postseason All-Stars alongside Nathan Mackinnon, highlights not only his individual talent but also the strength of the Colorado Avalanche as a competitive team. 1. **Makar's Recognition**: Winning the Norris Trophy for the second time solidifies Makar's legacy in the NHL. 2. **Statistical Excellence**: His impressive stats, including 30 goals and 92 points, demonstrate his all-around ability as a defenseman. 3. **Team Contributions**: Makar's performance has been pivotal for the Avalanche, even amidst playoff challenges. In summary, Cale Makar's continued excellence in the NHL positions him as a key player to watch in the coming seasons, as he aims to build on his already impressive career [https://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2025-06-11/colorados-cale-makar-wins-norris-trophy-as-leagues-top-defenseman-for-2nd-time-in-4-seasons].