Bergy loses hold on Selke
LAS VEGAS — If Patrice Bergeron wants to catch Bob Gainey in Selke Trophy wins, he’ll have to keep plugging away.
Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar edged out Bergeron, who had won three of the last four years, in the Selke voting last night during the NHL Awards Show at the Hard Rock Casino. Kopitar finished with 1,145 votes, including 77 first-place nods, to Bergeron’s 996 votes (46 first place). Ryan Kesler was third (424 and nine).
Gainey, the Canadiens’ Hall of Fame left winger, is the only player to win the award four times, earning the first four from 1977-78 to 1980-81.
Bergeron has been voted in the top two for the last five years. He came in second to the Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews in 2013, when there was a mere 10-point difference.
“Obviously you’re up against amazing players and it’s just the nature of it. It’s one of those things where I’ve always said, win or lose, I’d play the same way,” Bergeron said.
Kopitar certainly has the respect of the Bruins center.
“He’s an amazing player. He’s a complete player, he plays hard every night. It’s always tough to play against him, so it’s a welldeserved honor for him,” Bergeron said.
Kopitar, who had been a finalist the last two years, was not in attendance and his award was accepted by Kings great Luc Robitaille, who said Kopitar wanted to say “thank you to Patrice for letting me win one.”
Bergeron had a good chuckle.
“That was pretty fun. It’s nice to get recognized, but at the same time it’s well deserved for Anze and also Ryan had a great year. I was up against two great players and it’s just the nature of competition,” Bergeron said.
The Bruins lost two awards to Kopitar last night. Loui Eriksson, who could be a former Bruin by the July 1 start of free agency, finished third in Lady Byng Trophy voting behind Kopitar (817 points) and the Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov (475). Eriksson, who remained at home in Sweden after the birth of his son last week, received 388 points.
Chicago’s Patrick Kane became the first American player to win the Hart Trophy as league MVP, netting 1,395 votes to beat Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby (800) and Dallas’ Jamie Benn (637). Kane also won the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the league’s outstanding player by the NHLPA.
Kane’s teammate, Artemi Panarin won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year with 1,258 votes. The Flyers’ Shayne Gostisbehere (955) and the Oilers’ Connor McDavid (858) were second and third.
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (1,254 votes), edged the Senators’ Erik Karlsson (1,020) and the Sharks’ Brent Burns (619) for the Norris Trophy.
Washington’s Barry Trotz was named the Jack Adams Award winner as coach of the year. With 344 points, Trotz beat Florida’s Gerard Gallant (203) and Dallas’ Lindy Ruff (75).
Capitals goalie Braden Holtby won the Vezina Trophy with 140 votes, beating out Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop (51) and the Kings’ Jonathan Quick (36).
Pittsburgh’s Jim Rutherford was named GM of the Year (90 votes). Washington’s Brian MacLellan (56) and Dallas’ Jim Nill (55) were the other finalists.
The Panthers’ Jaromir Jagr, still kicking at 44, won the Masterton Trophy for dedication to hockey.
Predators’ captain Shea Weber won the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given for humanitarian contribution.
The Flames’ Mark Giordano won the NHL Foundation Player Award for outstanding charitable work and community service.