A couple of familiar NHL names have been named finalists for the 2016 Selke Trophy.
2016 Selke Trophy nominees: Patrice Bergeron, Anze Kopitar and Ryan Kesler named finalists
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
On Thursday night, the NHL announced that Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler and Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar are the nominees for the 2015-16 season. The Selke is awarded to the forward who "best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," and is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.
The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards on June 22 in Las Vegas.
This is the fifth consecutive nomination for Bergeron, who previously won the award in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Bergeron finished second in the league in driving possession with an 8.30 percent Corsi for percentage. He led the Eastern Conference in defensive face-off wins and had 68 points in 80 games.
Kopitar excelled in the defensive zone again this season, earning his third straight Selke nomination. According to NHL.com, the Kings had 332 more shot attempts when Kopitar was on the ice, good enough for third in the league. No forward played more minutes than Kopitar did this season, and he still ended up with a plus-34.
Kesler won more face-offs while short-handed and in the defensive zone than any other forward in the league, helping the Ducks to the best penalty kill in the NHL. This is his fourth Selke nomination.
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