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Calgary Flames centre Elias Lindholm ultimately didn’t win the hardware, but he can boast that he was the second-best defensive forward in the NHL this season.
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When you consider that’s from a field of 400-plus candidates, that’s a heck of a feat.
Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins made history Sunday by capturing the Selke Trophy for a record-setting fifth time in his career, while Lindholm finished as the runner-up.
Bergeron received 160-of-195 first-place votes from members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Lindholm, a finalist for the first time, was listed at the top of 21 ballots and second on 46 others.
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“I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” the 36-year-old Bergeron said on a conference call. “Maybe when I’m old and on my rocking chair, I might look back and think it’s pretty cool. As of right now, it’s one of those things where you appreciate and you’re thankful. But for me, it’s the friendship and everything that goes around the game of hockey that matters the most.”
Lindholm put up 42 goals, 82 points and a plus-61 rating in 2021-22. At 27, he is a long way from the rocking chair, so he could be a Selke Trophy contender for years to come.
Flames second-line centre Mikael Backlund and Lindholm’s usual wingmen, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, all received at least vote for the top defensive forward honour.
wgilbertson@postmedia.com