In a stunning display of rookie prowess, Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt has been crowned the NHL's "Rookie of the Month" for November. The 23-year-old Swedish netminder put together a month for the history books, dominating the league with near-impenetrable statistics.
A Month of Perfection for the Wild Rookie
Wallstedt's November was nothing short of flawless. He achieved a perfect 6-0-0 record across six starts, providing a rock-solid foundation for his team. His performance metrics led the entire NHL for the month, featuring a microscopic 1.14 goals-against average (GAA) and an exceptional .967 save percentage. Perhaps most impressively, he secured three shutouts in those six games, turning away opponents with remarkable consistency.
Historic Numbers and Franchise Records
The young goalie's achievements extend beyond the monthly award. Through nine total appearances this season, Wallstedt boasts a 7-0-2 record with a league-leading .938 save percentage. His season-long 1.93 GAA is second-best in the NHL. He has become the sixth rookie goaltender in NHL history to begin a season with a point streak of at least nine games, joining an elite list that includes Pete Peeters and Bill Durnan.
For the Wild franchise, Wallstedt set a new benchmark. His shutout sequence lasting 175 minutes and 12 seconds from November 7 to 19 is now a franchise rookie record. This streak was the longest by any NHL rookie goalie since John Gibson's run in the 2015-16 season.
Key Performances and Worthy Competitors
Wallstedt's November was filled with highlight-reel saves and clutch performances. He recorded shutouts against the Calgary Flames (36 saves on Nov. 9), Anaheim Ducks (28 saves on Nov. 15), and Winnipeg Jets (32 saves on Nov. 23). He faced a barrage of shots, turning aside 202 of the 209 he saw during the month, including a career-high 42 saves in a single game against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 19.
His award win was hard-fought, as he edged out other outstanding rookies. This group included San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov (8-2-0, 1.88 GAA), Anaheim Ducks winger Beckett Sennecke (14 points), New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (11 points), and Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov (10 points). Wallstedt joins Schaefer, who won the honor in October, as a "Rookie of the Month" winner for the 2025-26 season and is only the second player in Minnesota Wild history to receive the accolade.
Selected 20th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Jesper Wallstedt's immediate impact has been profound. His November performance has not only earned him league-wide recognition but has also announced the arrival of a major new talent in the NHL goaltending ranks, giving the Minnesota Wild a tremendous asset for their future campaigns.
