Ambrose, Keller, Shelton voted PWHL Defender of the Year finalists

Montreal's Erin Ambrose, Boston's Megan Keller, and New York's Ella Shelton were voted the finalists for the inaugural PWHL Defender of the Year award, the league announced Tuesday.

Ambrose ranked second among all rearguards with 18 points (four goals, 14 helpers) in 24 games while averaging 26:26 of ice time per contest. The 30-year-old also became the first skater in PWHL history with a four-point outing during Montreal's 4-3 victory over Minnesota on April 18.

Keller finished the campaign with 11 assists and 15 points - third most out of all blue-liners - in 24 outings while seeing 25:22 of playing time per game. The 28-year-old was also a plus-9 on the season, the best rating for her position.

Shelton paced all defenders with seven goals and 21 points - including 10 on the power play - in 24 games, and her 14 assists tied Ambrose for the most in the class. The 26-year-old also recorded the most average ice time (26:45) out of the three finalists. Shelton made history by scoring the PWHL's first-ever goal in New York's 4-0 win against Toronto on Jan. 1.

An 18-member committee determines the nominees after the regular season and before the beginning of the playoffs. The winner will be revealed in June.