2009 Selke Trophy nominees

[Commish]

The Selke Trophy is awarded to the forward in the NHA who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. The winner is selected by the GM's of the National Hockey Association.

Mike Peca - 76 games played, 59 points, +17, 19 blocked shots, 54.10% faceoffs won
At the ripe old age of 34, one would expect Peca to be slowing down. Yet, here he is being nominated for the Selke trophy after and inspirational season. Scoring 59 points, despite being used primarily on the 3rd line this season, Peca was arguably the best two-way player this year. Peca blocked 19 shots, won 54% of his draws, and dished out 155 hits.

Mike Richards - 81 games played, 85 points, +14, 17 blocked shots, 53.62% faceoffs won
Richards had a coming out party with a career best 85 points and 34 goals. Richards played in every situation for the Vampyres and their run to the Stanley Cup finals. He dished out the most hits on the team with 207, nearly 100 more then his next closest teammate, played significant time on the penalty-kill, and led the team in face-offs taken.

Rod Brind'Amour - 75 games played, 47 points, +27, 22 blocked shots, 57.91% faceoffs won
This will be Brind'Amour's first Selke nomination. With 17 goals and 47 points, he has the least amount of points amongst the nominees, but the best winning percentage on faceoffs. Brind'Amour scoring only 7 fewer points then last season even though he played 300+ minutes less.

Mike Fisher - 74 games played, 63 points, +30, 17 blocked shots, 53.58% faceoffs won
Fisher is also looking at a first time nomination for the Selke award. The Conn Smyth winner had the best +/- rating of all the nominees at +30. Always the competitor, Fisher dished out 254 hits and was used in every critical situation.

[warriors]

have to vote for fisher...his wife is hot

[Devils]

No respect for Parise this year?!?

[Commish]

Respect is earned Mark....respect is earned.

[Devils]

hehe It's like that huh? No worries. I really don't see him as a defensive forward anyways. He's just been inexplicably good for me for two seasons with +/-. Am I the only one who thinks Peca deserves this?

[Ice Dragons]

Tsk Tsk! Nothing for Antoine Vermette?

82 gp, 82 pnts, +33, 20 sb, and a 55.09% FO

He's not even nominated and probably should be the winner!

Compared to all the others on this list he is 1st in games played and plus/minus, and second in points,blocked shots, and faceoffs.

[RavensGM]

either Brindamour or Fisher easily... dunno which so ill wait on voting a bit

[Vampyre]

I don't know how you can say 'Brind'Amour or Fisher easily', as some stats are total bs.... +/- is a really stupid TEAM statistic. Take a look at the list....on the top 10 list there are 5 Eagles players....this is due to an insane offensive team....Fisher is 3rd on his team behind Gaborik and Havlat, and doesn't stand out among his teammates. Again, it's a TEAM stat.

A better way to look at it is to look for players who are a major component of their team's PK unit (obviously the unit would have to be successful too) and also contribute offensively, which would be their regular points contribution.

I don't have time this moment to look at the rest of the nominees, but in my case, Richards was a fixture on the PK for my team (rated #2 overall) and a major part of my PP (rated #1 overall). Add to this the shot-blocking, PP production, Hits, FO% and overall points production and I don't think anyone can say 'Fisher or Brind'Amour easily'.

I'd submit that Brind'Amour had a bit better FO% & +/- but was worse in other categories like Hits and regular points production, and Fisher only has a better +/-. The decision is not easy and its not only those two in the conversation. Mike Richards' excellent two-way ability is a large part of the reason the Vampyres took the President's Trophy this season (and later came within a hair of the Cup).

[thunderbirds]

Well said argument Chris.

It looks like all 4 candidates played on the PK units for their respective clubs which makes it a tough choice.

Mike did a reasonable job of naming the nominees on more then just a +/- rating. It must have been some work.

Now if I suck up some more will he give me an extra 1st round pick or top prospect from draft? lol

[RavensGM]

the good thing is I believe Selke is all about defense, not two way play.

Heh Sorry but I went with Fisher

[Vampyre]

I wasn't soliciting your vote, just stating my opinion.

And as I said, +/- has no bearing whatsoever on defence.

[Commish]

Richards has been awarded the Selke. Close one between him and Fisher.