Calder played a game for Washington in 1981-82, and another for the Caps the next year, but that was it on the NHL front. He had been one of the youngest players to represent Canada at the World Juniors, in 1981, as a 17-year old, though the team finished a disappointing seventh. Even still, the highly regarded Cornwall defenceman went 45th overall in the 1981 draft.
Perhaps his greatest achievement was knowing his pro career wasn't going far. Calder spent a year in the minors, 1983-84, and decided to return to university, playing and attending classes at Wilfred Laurier. After graduating, he then continued his pro career, in Europe, playing primarily in France though making stops in Germany and England as well.
Calder returned to Canada in 1997 and two years later was appointed coach at the University of Waterloo where he has been ever since.
