Frank J. Selke Trophy
Awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward.
The Frank J. Selke Trophy, often shortened to the Selke Trophy, is given each year to the NHL forward judged best at playing defense. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote on the winner after the regular season concludes. The award is named for Frank J. Selke, who served as general manager for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. Since its introduction for the 1977–78 season, the trophy has been handed out 46 times to 28 different players. Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki is the current holder.
The trophy was first presented at the end of the 1977–78 campaign. It was the fifth and final major NHL award named after an Original Six general manager or owner, joining the Art Ross Trophy, James Norris Memorial Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, and Jack Adams Award. Bob Gainey of the Canadiens won the first four Selke Trophies. Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins holds the record for most wins with six. Guy Carbonneau, Jere Lehtinen, Pavel Datsyuk, and Aleksander Barkov are tied for third-most with three wins each.
The Montreal Canadiens franchise has produced the most Selke winners, with eight awards. The Detroit Red Wings have the most unique winners, with four different players—Sergei Fedorov (two wins), Steve Yzerman, Kris Draper, and Datsyuk (three wins)—all since 1994. Only once has a Selke winner also claimed the Hart Memorial Trophy as MVP: Sergei Fedorov did so in the 1993–94 season. No player has ever won both the Selke and the Art Ross Trophy in the same year, though Fedorov finished second in scoring in 1994, and Hart winner Joe Sakic placed second in Selke voting in 2001. The highest point total for a Selke-winning season is 127, set by Doug Gilmour in 1992–93.
Quick Facts
- Sport
- Ice hockey
- Givenfor
- National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game
- First
- 1977–78 NHL season
- Firstwinner
- Bob Gainey
- Mostwins
- Patrice Bergeron (6)
- Mostrecent
- Nick Suzuki / Montreal Canadiens
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
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. 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 Memorial 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. Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins has won it more times than any other player, with six wins. Guy Carbonneau, Jere Lehtinen, Pavel Datsyuk and Aleksander Barkov are tied for the third-most wins, with three apiece. The Montreal Canadiens have won the trophy the most times, with 8 awards. The team with the greatest number of unique winners are the Red Wings with 4—Sergei Fedorov (twice), Steve Yzerman, Kris Draper, and Datsyuk (three times)—all coming since 1994.
Reader's Guide
The Selke Trophy recognizes the forward who best excels in defensive play, a role often overshadowed by offensive statistics. Its history includes notable achievements: there has been only one instance in which a Selke Trophy winner was also awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy for Most Valuable Player, when Sergei Fedorov captured both trophies during the 1993–94 NHL season. 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, while Hart Trophy winner and Art Ross Trophy runner-up Joe Sakic finished second in Selke voting in 2001. The most points scored in a Selke-winning season is 127 by Doug Gilmour in the 1992–93 NHL season. The trophy's lineage includes multiple repeat winners, with Bob Gainey winning the first four editions and Patrice Bergeron holding the record with six wins. The Montreal Canadiens lead all teams with eight awards, while the Detroit Red Wings have produced the most unique winners, four, all since 1994.
Did You Know?
- Patrice Bergeron has won the Selke Trophy more times than any other player, with six wins.
- Sergei Fedorov is the only player to win both the Selke Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy in the same season (1993–94).
- Doug Gilmour scored 127 points in his Selke-winning season, the most of any winner.
More in NHL Trophies and Awards 1-24
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