Bergeron again selected as Selke finalist.

May 13, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) smiles after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it’s award time again for the NHL, and the Bruins finally get a finalist on the roster. The Frank J. Selke Trophy is given each year to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association following the regular season. Last season’s winner was our own Patrice Bergeron. The hero of game seven and the series gets to defend his title this year.

Patrice Bergeron has been selected as one of the three finalists for the Selke.  This is his second nomination and the competition this year will be tough. The PHWA also selected Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk, and Chicago’s Jonathan Toews as co-finalists.  Datsyuk is a three time winner, and no doubt the Blackhawks have had an incredible season. Still, there is no doubt that Bergeron has certainly earned this honor again. Let’s be honest, Bergy is our best two way player on the squad right now.

His season stats also validate his selection. In the faceoff circle, Bergeron has won a league leading 62.1% of draws. (Toews and Datsyuk  are above 55%). Bergeron’s  plus/minus rating at +24 places him sixth in the league. On the attack, #37 ended the regular season with 32 points(10 goals/4th, 22 assists/2nd) in 42 games. In defensive actions though, Bergeron shines for the Black and Gold. This season, Bergeron spent 153:37on the penalty kill serving as our lead forward. Bergeron made himself a nuisance this season often tying up two or more opponents while eating through the clock.  The Bruins ended up with the fourth best penalty kill in the NHL this season. ( 87.1%/142-163).

It certainly can’t hurt Bergeron’s case that some of the writers are going to have those two goals from game seven of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals rattling around their heads. Not to mention that Bergeron has been a consistent performer all season. Let’s leave the last words on this award to another hockey great Jaromir Jagr.