Frank J. Selke Trophy

Description: First awarded in 1977-78, the Frank J. Selke Trophy is presented annually “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.”

Voting: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submit ballots for the Frank J. Selke Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists.

History: The Frank J. Selke Trophy was presented in 1977 by the NHL’s Board of Governors in honor of Frank J. Selke, one of the great architects of Montreal’s and Toronto’s championship teams.

2025-26 Winner: Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki won the 2025‑26 Frank J. Selke Trophy. As the first choice on 151 of the 198 ballots and a top-five pick of 191 voters, Suzuki was a runaway winner with 1,726 voting points. Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli finished second in voting with 467 points, followed closely by Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson, who garnered 406 points for third place. Suzuki, a first-time NHL Awards finalist, became the third Canadiens player to win the Selke after franchise greats Bob Gainey (4x) and Guy Carbonneau (3x). Suzuki led Canadiens forwards in several categories as the team posted its highest point total (106) since 2014‑15 and fewest goals-against (251, excluding shootout-deciding goals) in a full 82-game season since 2018‑19. The captain played all 82 games for the fifth consecutive season and topped Montreal forwards in total ice time (1,707:17, an average of 20:49 per game) and even-strength time (1,359:02). He ranked sixth in the NHL in face-offs (1,449), taking 32.2 percent of all Montreal draws. The only NHL players with an equal or higher figure were Nico Hischier (NJD, 39.9%) and Dylan Larkin (DET, 32.2%). The Canadiens outscored the opposition 94‑58 at even strength when Suzuki was on the ice, with his 61.8 percent ratio leading the team and marking a career high.