Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the second time in his career, as announced by the NHL on June 11, 2025.

Makar led all NHL defensemen this season with 30 goals, 62 assists, and 92 points, starting the year with a remarkable 13-game point streak.

He received 176 first-place votes out of 191 from the Professional Hockey Writers Association, further cementing his status as an elite player, having been a Norris finalist for five consecutive seasons.

Makar expressed his gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the award's significance as a team honor and acknowledging his teammates' contributions.

Despite the Avalanche's playoff exit, Makar's performance solidifies his status as one of the top players in the NHL.

In the playoffs, Makar recorded a goal and four assists in a first-round series loss to Dallas, maintaining a 1.08 points per game average.

The Avalanche finished third in the Central Division but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Dallas Stars in seven games.

Makar averaged 25 minutes and 43 seconds of ice time per game, setting career-highs with 12 power-play goals, two shorthanded goals, and 246 shots on goal.

Only Erik Karlsson, a three-time winner, has more Norris Trophies among active defensemen than Makar.

Other NHL award winners include Nikita Kucherov for the Ted Lindsay Award, Spencer Carbery for the Jack Adams Award, Lane Hutson for the Calder Trophy, Aleksander Barkov for the Selke Trophy and King Clancy Trophy, and Sean Monahan for the Masterton Trophy.

The NHL is set to announce the winners of the Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy on June 12, 2025, during a televised show before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded since 1953 to the defenseman demonstrating the greatest all-around ability, in honor of former Detroit Red Wings owner James Norris.