The PHWA has announced the finalists for the 2023 Frank J. Selke Trophy. One of Patrice Bergeron, Mitch Marner or Nico Hischier will go home with the honor at the NHL Awards on June 26.
The Selke is awarded annually to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.
With Bergeron’s Boston Bruins out of the playoffs, two of the finalists still have a shot at the Stanley Cup. Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing off against the Panthers in the second round, while Hischier’s New Jersey Devils are set to play the Carolina Hurricanes.
Bergeron has owned the Selke Trophy for much of his career, taking it home five times. He already owns the record for the most Selke Trophies won by an NHL player. If he wins it again, he’ll make the record all the more unreachable.
Marner has never won a Selke but earned votes for this award in five consecutive seasons, but until this year, has never been a finalist. Hischier has never been a finalist for any NHL award but was seventh in voting for the Calder Trophy in his 52-point rookie campaign.
This season, Bergeron scored 27 goals and 58 points en route to the greatest regular season performance by any team in NHL history.
Marner set career-highs in assists and points this year with 30 goals and 99 points and is hoping to bring the Stanley Cup back to Toronto for the first time since 1967.
Hischier had a revelatory season, setting a career-high in every major category, including goals, assists, points, and the fewest penalty minutes. The Swiss forward scored 31 goals and 80 points, sitting second on the Devils behind Jack Hughes.
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