Patrice Bergeron has been called the “The Heart and the Soul of the Bruins”. For the past ten seasons, he’s been a linchpin of the organization. Bergeron has worked his way up through the NHL and is widely regarded as the best two-way forward in the entire league. Once again, Bergeron is up for the award that represents his skill set.
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Earlier this evening, the Boston Bruins announced that (once again) Patrice Bergeron is a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. The Selke Trophy is given every year “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game”. Bergy has been nominated for the Selke for five straight years now. Bergeron has already won the Selke Trophy three times (2012, 2014 and 2015). If he wins again in June, he will be tied with Bob Gainey for being the all-time leader in Selke Trophy wins.
“Being named a finalist for the Selke Trophy is a tremendous honor and one I am very grateful for,” said Bergeron. “While it is an individual award, my teammates and coaches deserve a lot of credit as well. Ryan and Anze are two elite players who both had great seasons and it is a privilege to be a finalist alongside them. Thanks to all of those who voted and I look forward to the NHL Awards Show on June 22.”
The other two finalists are Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Kesler and Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar.
Bergeron’s numbers make him a practical lock for the trophy this year. He finished the 2015-16 regular season leading the NHL in faceoffs taken (1,978). He was seventh overall in faceoff wins with 57.1% (which puts him three-plus percentage points above Kopitar). He leads the league in faceoff wins as well with 1,130. This is the second year in a row Bergeron has led the league in total faceoff wins in a season.
The 30-year-old Bergeron led all Bruins in overall scoring this year with a 68-point season. He was second in goals (32), third in assists (36), and led all Bruins with 282 shots on goal. The two-time All-Star will have to wait nearly two months to see if he’s won his fourth Selke, but if anyone compares numbers, it looks like it’s a lock for Bergron.