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Flyers' 'Ghost' named Calder finalist

Shayne Gostisbehere could become the first Calder Trophy winner in Flyers history.

The defenseman was named one of three finalists for the Calder, awarded to the NHL's top rookie, the league announced Monday night.

Chicago left winger Artemi Panarin and Edmonton center Connor McDavid are the other finalists.

"I'm very humbled. It truly is an honor … to be associated with this award," Gostisbehere, 23, said in a conference call with reporters. "I didn't expect to be where I am right now. Again, it's a compliment to my teammates, and the coaches and front office for believing in me all the way."

The Calder Trophy winner will be announced at the NHL's award ceremonies in Las Vegas on June 22.

Gostisbehere scored 17 goals — a record for a Flyers rookie defenseman — and jump-started the team after his promotion from Lehigh Valley on Nov. 14, keying their drive to a playoff berth. He was called up because of an injury to Mark Streit and he never looked back.

"I didn't think I was going to come in and make the impact I did," said Gostisbehere, who missed most of the previous season with the AHL's Phantoms after undergoing knee surgery. "But I came in wanting to contribute to the team and help the team along the way. That's what stuck with me all the way: Just put the individual stuff to the side and keep your teammates always with you."

Since the Flyers franchise started in 1967-68, left winger Bill Barber and goalie Ron Hextall came the closest to winning the Calder Trophy. Barber finished second to Steve Vickers in 1972-73, and Hextall, now the team's general manager, placed second to Luc Robitaille in 1986-87.

Mikael Renberg was the last Flyers rookie in the top three in the rookie-of-the-year voting, placing third in 1993-94.

"It would definitely be cool to be the first Flyer" to win the award, Gostisbehere said.

Panarin is the Calder Trophy front-runner after leading rookies in goals (30), assists (47) and points (77). He played in 80 games — 16 more than Gostisbehere.

Panarin and Gostisbehere tied for the rookie lead (with three others) with eight power-play goals.

"The rookie class speaks for itself; there are plenty of more guys who could have been candidates," said Gostisbehere, who credited team orthopedist Peter DeLuca and trainer Jim McCrossin for helping him through the surgery "and keeping me focused as well."

Panarin, 24, is considered a rookie even though he played in parts of seven professional seasons in Russia's KHL.

With Gostisbehere in the lineup, the Flyers went 34-19-11; they were 7-8-3 without him.

It's supposed to be more difficult for a defenseman to make an immediate impact, but Gostisbehere made it look easy, finishing fifth in rookie scoring with 46 points. One of his highlights was setting NHL rookie record for defensemen with a 15-game points streak.

McDavid led the league with an average of 1.07 points per game and finished with 16 goals and 48 points in 45 games. The 19-year-old center missed three months because of a broken collarbone and that will probably hurt him in the voting.

Gaudreau golf tourney

Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau, the South Jersey standout who finished third in the rookie-of-the-year voting last season, will host the inaugural Johnny Gaudreau Scholarship Golf Tournament at Ron Jaworski's Blue Heron Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor City on July 29. Proceeds will benefit the Gloucester Catholic scholarship fund. For information, call Pat Murphy at 856-456-4400 (ext. 219) send an email to pmurphy@gchsrams.org.