Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner named Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner is getting recognized for a strong 2022-23 season.

The 25-year-old winger was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy which is awarded to the best defensive forward in the NHL. The award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association.

is coming off his best regular season, now in his seventh year in the NHL, having scored 30 goals for the first time while also setting career highs in assists (69) and points (99). Marner, too, had a career-high in takeaways this season with 104.

According to hockeyviz.com, Marner provided defence at an eight percent rate above league average, the best he’s done so far in his career.

He’s never won a Selke trophy before in his life, but has garnered some votes before. His highest finish came in 2020-21, when he placed 10th in voting for the award.

Two other forwards were named finalists for the award, too. Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron, as well as New Jersey Devils forward Nico Hischier are up for the award.

Bergeron has been a perrenial finalist for the award, which he has won five times already in his career. In all honesty, this award could very likely be renamed in his honour in the future.

Hischier, who is in his sixth season, has never been a finalist for any awards, but finished seventh in Calder Trophy voting in 2017-18.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.