What Is the ‘Selke Trophy’ in Sports?
The “Selke Trophy” (officially the Frank J. Selke Trophy) is a major annual award in the National Hockey League (NHL).
It is awarded to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.
Why It’s Unique
Most awards for forwards (like the Art Ross or Rocket Richard) are all about who scores the most goals or points. The Selke is special because it honors the “Two-Way Forward”—a player who is just as good at stopping the other team as they are at scoring.
Think of it as the award for the best “defensive specialist” among the offensive players.
Key Facts to Know:
- Who Votes: It is decided by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season.
- The Legend: Patrice Bergeron is the king of this award, having won it a record 6 times.
- The Criteria: Voters look for forwards who win faceoffs, kill penalties, block shots, and shut down the opponent’s best players.