Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Sports News

Datsyuk a Selke Trophy finalist

|
|
 
  
Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk, shown during prior to a game in March, was selected one of three finalists for the NHL's Frank J. Selke Trophy. Datsyuk won the award, given to the NHL's top defensive forward, last year. (UPI Photo/Gary C. Caskey) 
Published: April 28, 2009 at 1:11 PM

TORONTO, April 28 (UPI) -- Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk, last year's Selke Trophy winner, was selected Tuesday as a finalist for the NHL's top defensive forward award in 2008-09.

Datsyuk, Philadelphia's Mike Richards and Vancouver's Ryan Kesler were named the finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, which has been given to the league's best defensive forward. It was first awarded in 1978.

Datsyuk was fourth in the NHL with 97 points and second in the league with 89 takeaways and his plus-minus rating of plus-34 was third best in the NHL this season. He is looking to join Sergei Fedorov as two-time Selke Trophy winners from Detroit.

Richards led the NHL with seven short-handed goals and tied for the league lead among forwards with 90 blocked shots and was third among that group with 83 takeaways.

Kesler was seventh among forwards with 70 blocked shots and 74 takeaways. He played on a checking line as a center and was a forward on Vancouver's top line.

The NHL is to announce its award winners June 18.

Topics: Mike Richards, Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Kesler
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Super Bowl XLVI ticker tape victory parade N.Y. Giants win Super Bowl XLVI Cheerleaders of 2012
Additional Sports News Stories
1 of 21
President Obama Signs Smuggling Prevention Act at White House
View Caption
fark
Kim Jong Un Dead. I repeat - Un Dead
Nothing is more romantic on Valentine's Day than taking your lover on a tour of New York's sewers...
Man arrested for writing 'bomb' on some toilet paper. "His family says the word 'bomb' is often...
Now that gay marriage is legal in California, the state's Health Department thought it was necessary...
Scientists discover a drug designed to fight cancer reverses Alzheimer's in mice. Still no cure...
Cutting out the middle man ... antiques dealer with late stage cancer hosting her own estate sale...