Jun 26, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) reacts after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup in game six of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Avalanche's Cale Makar wins Conn Smythe Trophy

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 6/26/22

On Sunday night, the Colorado Avalanche won their first Stanley Cup in 21 years, knocking off the back-to-back defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.

Colorado's Cale Makar was voted the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the MVP of the Stanley Cup Final.

Cale Makar (@Cmakar8), just WOW — add a Conn Smythe Trophy to your cabinet. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/js7oJ2MgYE
— NHL (@NHL) June 27, 2022

Makar finished with seven points (three goals, four assists) in six games against the Lightning.

The 23-year-old became the youngest defenseman to win the Conn Smythe since Bobby Orr 52 years ago. He also joins legends Orr and Nicklaus Lindstrom as the only defensemen in NHL history to win the Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup in the same season.

Only three defensemen have won the Conn Smythe and Norris trophies in the same season:

Bobby Orr (1970, 1972)
Nicklas Lidstrom (2002)
Cale Makar (2022)
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 27, 2022