Bergeron, Kopitar, Couturier named Selke Trophy finalists

The Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron, Los Angeles Kings' Anze Kopitar, and Philadelphia Flyers' Sean Couturier were named finalists for the 2017-18 Selke Trophy, awarded to the league's best defensive forward, the NHL announced Wednesday.

Bergeron earns another nomination with four career Selke wins already on his resume, including three over the past four years. Despite being limited to 64 games this season, the 32-year-old finished sixth in faceoff percentage with a mark of 57.3 percent, and concluded the regular season with 30 goals and 63 points.

This marks his seventh consecutive nomination, surpassing the previous record of six set by Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings from 2008 to '13.

Kopitar receives his fourth nomination in five years. He finished second in voting in 2014 and '15, before capturing the trophy in '16. Kopitar led all kings forwards with with 2:10 of shorthanded ice time per game, contributing to the league's best penalty kill. The 30-year-old also had a career-high 92 points in 82 contests.

Couturier nabs his first career nomination after finishing third in the NHL with a plus-34 rating. He also logged the second-most ice time in the league among forwards, while playing an average of 1:53 of shorthanded ice time more than any other Flyers forward. On the opposite side of the puck, Couturier tallied 31 goals and 76 points in 82 games.