Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron Robbed of Selke Trophy
Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron Robbed of Selke Trophy After Amazing Season
The Selke trophy is awarded annually to the NHL forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. While it should come as no surprise that Patrice Bergeron was once again nominated for the award alongside Ryan Kesler of the Anaheim Ducks and Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings, it should be noted that this was Bergeron’s fifth straight season as a finalist. Bergeron could have become only the second player in history to win four Selke awards alongside Hall of Fame forward Bob Gainey, but Kopitar managed to win the trophy instead.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
Kopitar was nominated for the Selke award for a third consecutive season where he came as the runner-up in the first two. The King’s forward led all forwards in total ice time this season with 1,690:12 while averaging 20:52 of ice time per game including 2:09 while shorthanded. Kopitar was third in the NHL in faceoffs taken with 1,776, and seventh in faceoff wins with 950, good for 53.5 percent.
The final voting standings had Kopitar win 1,145 voting points including 77 first-place votes. Patrice Bergeron had 996 points with 46 first-place votes, and Kesler finished with 424 points and 9 first-place votes.
2016 was no different than any other for #37 as Bergeron led the entire League with 1,978 faceoffs taken, while winning 57.1 percent of them. This marks the fifth straight season that Bergeron has won at least 57 percent of his draws, which is probably why the veteran forward is always in discussion for the Selke trophy in the first place. Bergeron led the Eastern Conference with 389 defensive-zone faceoff wins, and average 19:50 of ice time per game.
Next: Bruins Affected By Big Trade Day
While the trophy focuses on defensive ability, Bergeron is certainly no stranger to the offensive side of the game either. In 80 games this season, Bergeron scored 32 goals and added 36 assists for 68 points as well as a plus-12 rating. Bergeron will likely be in the discussion for the 2016-17 Selke Award, where he will once again try to tie Bob Gainey with four total Selke wins.