NHL Announces Nominees for the Frank J Selke Trophy

The National Hockey League announced the nominees for the Frank J Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive forward, on Thursday.

Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, Ryan Kesler of the Anaheim Ducks and Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings, were the top three vote getters, thereby being named as the finalists. The winner will be awarded the Selke Trophy at the NHL Awards at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 22. 

Bergeron, will be looking for his third straight Selke Trophy and the fourth of his career. During the 2015-2016 NHL season, Bergeron led the league in faceoffs taken, winning 57.1 percent of them. This past season is the fifth straight year he won at least 57 percent of his faceoffs. 

Bergeron led the Eastern Conference winning 389 defensive zone faceoffs. He logged an average of 19:50 ice time per game during the 2015-2016 season, while scoring 32 goals and 36 assists in 80 games. During the past season he was a plus 12. 

Bergeron has now been a finalist for the Selke, five straight seasons, while winning the award in 2012, 2014 and 2015. If he manages to win it for a fourth time, he will become only the second four-time winner, joining former Montreal Canadiens and Hockey Hall of Famer, Bob Gainey. 

Gainey won four straight Selke Trophies, between the 1977-1978 and 1980-1981 seasons. 

Kesler is a finalist for the fourth time in his career, but first since 2011. This past season, he finished with the second best faceoff win percentage in the league, winning 58.5 percent of his draws. Kesler was ranked first overall in the NHL for defensive zone draws, with 441, and shorthanded draws, with 168. 

His average 2:45 of shorthanded ice time per game was one of the main reasons the Ducks ranked first, with an 87.2 percent success rate on the penalty kill this season. Kesler had 21 goals and 32 assists and a plus-5, in 79 games during the year. His 92 blocked shots, also tied for the lead amongst forwards.

Kopitar, will be vying for his third straight Selke, after being the runner-up the last two seasons. His 1,690:12 ice time, averaging 20:52 per game, ranks him number one amongst forwards in the league this past season. 

Kopitar was fifth in faceoffs taken, with 1,776 and seventh in faceoffs won, at 950. He won 53.5 percent of his draws. Kopitar was third in the league, among forwards in shot attempts differential. When he was on the ice, the Kings had 332 more shot attempts, then they allowed. 

He also was ranked second in the league in plus/minus ratio, with a plus 34 rating. Kopitar scored 25 goals and 49 assists in 81 games this past season.