2009-2010 Winner: Rick Nash (Columbus Blue Jackets)In 1977, the Board of Governors of the NHL decided to create an award that would recognize the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. It was decided that the award would honour Frank J. Selke, a former executive with both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens, Frank Selke was a committed builder to NHL hockey for sixty years, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 1960. Working closely with Conn Smythe, the two were instrumental in the building of Maple Leaf Gardens in 1931, and Selke watched the Leafs win three Stanley Cups while in their employ. But a falling out with Smythe during the Second World War resulted in Selke joining the Canadiens in 1946, and he was general manager for six more championships in Montreal.
The Selke Trophy was first awarded in 1977-78, with Bob Gainey of the Canadiens winning the award.
2010-2011 Winner: Rick Nash (Columbus Blue Jackets)
2011-2012 Winner: Rick Nash (Columbus Blue Jackets)
2012-2013 Winner: Rick Nash (New York Islanders)
2013-2014 Winner: Rick Nash (New York Islanders)
Past voting results:
2010: Nash wins with 11 votes, +128 T-G, 228 hits, 49 blocked shots and +19. Colby Armstrong (ATL, 5 votes) and Zach Stortini (EDM, 2 votes) placed 2nd and 3rd.
2011: Nash repeats with 6 votes, +110 T-G, 219 hits, 31 blocked shots and +30 with 75 points. Eric Staal (CAR, 4 votes) and Max Lapierre (MTL, 3 votes) placed 2nd and 3rd.
2012: Nash again, with 7 first-place votes and 30 voting points. +131 T-G, 261 hits, 40 blocked shots and +31 with 76 points. David Backes (5 first-place votes, 25 points) and Eric Staal (4 first-place votes, 21 points).
2013: Guess who? Nash gets 7 first-place votes and 25 voting points. +138 T-G, 219 hits, 70 blocked shots and +19 with 74 points on his new Islanders squad. Anze Kopitar (PIT, 2 first-place votes and 6 points) and Thomas Vanek (BUF, 5 points) finished a distant second and third.
2014: Yawn. Nash again with 9 first-place votes and 29 points. 40G, +121 T-G, 250 hits, 100 SB and +5. He got traded to Calgary in the offseason for his troubles. Anze Kopitar (PIT, 1 1st, 8 pts) and Nathan Horton (DAL, 1 1st, 5 pts) were left in the dust.