2023-06-27 01:41:00
A trio of Quebecers were rewarded at the NHL awards ceremony on Monday in Nashville.
First, Patrice Bergeron won the Frank.-J.-Selke trophy given to the best defensive forward of the last season for the sixth time in his career, thus improving his own record.
Nico Hischier (New Jersey) and Mitch Marner (Toronto) were the other finalists in this category. Bergeron got 187 of the first-place votes out of a possible 196, for a total of 1,914 points, making it the most dominant win of his career and the most dominant in the trophy’s 45-year history.
Bergeron, who also won this honor last year, found himself among the nominees for a 12th season in a row. He was crowned winner in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022 and 2023.
The 37-year-old Quebec center finished last season with a plus-35 differential, a personal best since the 2013-2014 season when he finished at plus-38. He had 27 goals and 31 assists in 78 games. He had a 61.1% save percentage in face-off circles, second only to Jonathan Toews at 63.1%.
Hischier was trying to become the second Devils player to win the Selke Trophy after John Madden in 2001. He had 31 goals, 49 assists and a plus-33 rating in 81 games this season.
Marner was also a finalist for the first time in his career. He finished the season with 99 points, including 30 goals. He led the Maple Leafs forwards in turnovers with 104. The last recipient in the organization was Doug Gilmour, in 1993.
Inspiring and humble, Montgomery is almost unanimous
Another representative of the Bruins was rewarded, while Jim Montgomery was voted head coach of the year.
The Quebecer was chosen over Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken and Lindy Ruff of the New Jersey Devils as the best regular season coach. He got 79 of 81 first-place votes.
Montgomery was in his first campaign at the helm of the Bruins, who had a record season setting both wins (65) and points (135) marks. The organization finished first in goals against (2.12 average per game) and second in goals scored with an average of 3.66.
In his address, Montgomery showed great humility, recalling that he hit rock bottom in December 2019.
“Three and a half years ago the Dallas Stars terminated my contract because I had a drinking problem. I had to change my actions and behavior. This is where a new team became crucial in my life. (…) To those who fight this kind of addiction, know that it is possible to change. But it won’t go away alone. You need to surround yourself with a team, a community,” he said in an emotionally charged moment.
“It’s a team trophy. It is the reflection of a great organization and the work that has been done to assemble this talented team. Our historic season did not happen by chance, there is a great dedication within this organization and the leadership, including on the part of Patrice Bergeron”, underlined Montgomery.
After finishing atop the overall standings, however, the Bruins suffered a surprise elimination at the hands of the Florida Panthers in the first round of the playoffs.
Montgomery’s predecessor, Bruce Cassidy, won the Jack Adams Trophy for the 2019-20 season.
Ruff had previously won the Jack-Adams Trophy in 2005-06 while coaching the Buffalo Sabres.
Letang wins the Bill Masterton Trophy
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kristopher Letang won the Bill-Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player on the circuit who best embodies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to his sport.
Letang suffered a second career stroke this season and returned to action just weeks later. He was further devastated by the death of his father.
Despite everything, Letang once again delivered the goods with a season of 11 goals and 28 assists in 62 games.
“I’m not going to lie, I’ve always dreamed of being here and lifting a trophy, but not this one. However, I am very proud of it. As a father, it shows my children that you should never give up, ”reacted Letang on the podium.
Letang is the first Penguins player to earn the award since Mario Lemieux in 1993.
Forward Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes) and goaltender Alex Stalock (Chicago Blackhawks) were the other two contenders.
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