Frank J. Selke Trophy
The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season.[1] It has been awarded 33 times to 21 different players since the 1977–78 NHL season. The current holder is Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks.
History
The trophy was first awarded at the end of the 1977–78 NHL season. It was named after Frank J. Selke, former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.[1] The Selke Trophy was the fifth and last of the major NHL awards to be introduced that have been named after General Managers and owners of the Original Six teams, the other awards being the Art Ross Trophy, James Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, and Jack Adams Award.
The first recipient was Bob Gainey of the Canadiens, who won the trophy the first four years it was given, and to date he has won it more times than any other player.[2] Guy Carbonneau, Jere Lehtinen, and Pavel Datsyuk are tied for the second-most wins, with three apiece.
The Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings have won the trophy the most times, with 7 awards apiece. The team with the greatest number of unique winners is the Red Wings with 4 -- Sergei Fedorov (twice), Steve Yzerman, Kris Draper, and Datsyuk (three times) -- all coming since 1994.[1]
There has been only one instance in which a Selke Trophy winner was also awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy for Most Valuable Player—Sergei Fedorov captured both trophies during the 1993–94 NHL season.[3] There has not been an instance in which the Art Ross Trophy winner has been awarded the Selke Trophy, though Fedorov finished second in regular season scoring in 1994,[3] while Hart Trophy winner and Art Ross Trophy runner-up Joe Sakic finished second in Selke voting in 2001.[4]
Winners
Player is still active
See also
References