A new season for star center Patrice Bergeron adds another nomination for the Frank J. Selke Trophy.
The Selke is awarded annually to a forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association following the regular season. Bergeron, who is a four-time winner and a finalist for the eighth consecutive year, is facing off against Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues, and Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights.
This campaign, Bergeron helped the Bruins to a tie for third in goals-against per game, had a team-best plus-23 and logged the most shorthanded time among all Bruins forwards at 1:42 per game. Bergeron once again finished in the top 10 in faceoff winning percentage with a 56.6 percent winning rate. This marked the 10th consecutive season where the star forward finished above the 56 percent mark. On offense, Bergeron set new career-high in points totaling 39 goals and 79 points in 65 games.
This could be the year that Bergeron surpasses Hall of Fame Montreal Canadiens winger Bob Gainey who was denied last year finishing second to Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar for most all-time in Selke wins. Historically speaking, this year could be favorable to Bergeron. The trophy has been awarded 35 times to 23 different players since its inception in 1978. Historically speaking out of the 23 different players to take home the hardware only four wingers took home the trophy, giving a slight edge to Bergeron and O’Reilly. The four wingers in questions are four-time winner Bob Gainey, Buffalo Sabres Craig Ramsey, Chicago Blackhawks’ Dirk Graham, and three-time winner Jere Lehtinen of the Dallas Stars.
The winner will be announced on June 19th at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas
