Makar won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2019-20, becoming the first blueliner in Avalanche/Nordiques history to be named the league’s Rookie of the Year. He was just the 12th defenseman in NHL history to win the Calder Memorial Trophy and only the second in the last 10 seasons, joining Aaron Ekblad in 2014-15.

With an overwhelming majority, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has been voted the recipient of the 2024-25 James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Two of the most recent individual award winners are the Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain, who won Defensive Player of the Year and now, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche winning his second James Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman.