Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner is a finalist for the Selke Trophy

Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner was announced Tuesday as one of the three finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.”

Boston Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron and New Jersey Devils centre Nico Hischier were the other finalists in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Marner led the NHL in takeaways with 104, becoming one of just seven players to reach the century mark since the statistic was introduced in 1997-98. Only four NHL forwards received more ice time than Marner, who logged a career-high 1702:06 (21:17 per game). Notable in that ice time was duty on the Leafs’ top penalty-killing unit; he ranked second among Toronto forwards and 13th among all NHL forwards in total short-handed time (182:59). The only other Maple Leaf to win the Selke was Doug Gilmour in 1992-93.

Bergeron has won the award a record five times. Hischier is a first-time nominee.

Meanwhile the league announced Devils centre Jack Hughes, Los Angeles Kings centre Anze Kopitar and Tampa Bay Lightning centre Brayden Point are the three finalists for the 2022-23 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

The rest of the awards will be announced for the next two weeks. The winners will be revealed Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on June 26.

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