The Selke has evolved into an award that also takes offense into consideration.His teammates thrived whenever put on his line, causing coach Alain Vigneault to call him “Dr. You don’t always have to wear the ‘C’ (for captain) — Couturier wears the ‘A’ (alternate).“But his defensive game is outstanding. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League,Bienvenue à LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey,Добро пожаловать на NHL.com, официальный сайт Национальной хоккейной лиги,Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin,Välkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida,Vítejte na NHL.com, oficiálních stránkách National Hockey League,Vitajte na NHL.com, oficiálnych stránkach National Hockey League,Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League,Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League.The Frank J. Selke Trophy is an annual award given "to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game." Past winners of the National Hockey League's Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the best defensive forward: 2020 — Sean Couturier, Philadelphia 2019 — Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis “You think of the other guys who are up for the award, O’Reilly, Bergeron. Great on faceoffs. Couturier (knee) won the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward Thursday, David Satriano of NHL.com reports. O’Reilly had 11 first-place votes and 816 points.It took Couturier "a few years in the league to find the offensive part of his game, but he’s a guy that plays the right way defensively,” Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said. It became part of his Hockey Hall of Fame resume.Poulin, also one of the most well-rounded players in team history, took home the Selke in 1986-87.Thirty-three years later, it was Couturier’s turn.In this year’s voting, Couturier finished ahead of St. Louis’ Ryan O’Reilly (last year’s winner) and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron (a four-time winner).Voting for the award is conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.“It’s a great honor,’’ Couturier told NBCSN after the announcement. He’s out there in key situations to put the puck in the net.’’.In a Thursday afternoon press briefing, Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said Couturier does just about everything well.“You have a man here in Sean Couturier who took a few years in the league to find the offensive part of his game, but a guy that plays the right way defensively,’’ Fletcher said.“He understands the game, doesn’t cheat, wins battles, wins faceoffs, (is) very good on the forecheck, very good in his own zone, (a) very good penalty killer and very good on the power play.’’.Couturier is not known as a self-promoter, so perhaps that hurts him when awards voting comes around.But he has won the Bobby Clarke Trophy (team MVP) the past two seasons, so someone is paying attention.“There’s flashier players than Sean Couturier,’’ Fletcher said. The 27-year-old had an outstanding season for the.© 2004-2020 CBS Interactive. (He's) a guy who’s really driving the bus for this team right now.’’.Back in July at the time of his nomination, Couturier said he was humbled to be in the same company with Bergeron, who was nominated for a record ninth time.Being nominated twice in the last three years was considered an honor by Couturier.“It’s nice to be honored and recognized by the media,” said Couturier. The NHL announced the finalists for the 2019-20 Selke Trophy: Patrice Bergeron (Bruins), Sean Couturier (Flyers), and Ryan O'Reilly (Blues). Past winners of the National Hockey League's Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the best defensive forward: 2020 — Sean Couturier, Philadelphia 2019 — Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis The NHL announced this evening that Sean Couturier of the Philadelphia Flyers was the winner of the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward.. Patrice Bergeron, the nine-time finalist and four-time winner, finished second, while Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues finished third.. Bergeron received 21 first place votes, compared to 117 for Couturier. section: | slug: flyers-sean-couturier-selke-trophy-winner | sport: hockey | route: article_single_fantasy | I try to take pride in that.”.Couturier appeared in all 69 games for the Flyers this season, recording the aforementioned 22 goals plus 37 assists for 59 points. The Selke trophy is very similar to the Norris - it judges defensive play, which is very difficult to assess comparatively, and it tends to be based more on reputation than actual performance. The pair of best two-way centers ever to wear a Flyers uniform — Bobby Clarke and Dave Poulin — became the first and only Philly players to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy.That’s when it was announced Sean Couturier has joined that illustrious fraternity by capturing this year’s award.Clarke earned the Selke — “awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game’’ — for the 1982-83 season. Season Award Winner Team; 1977-78: Bob Gainey: Montreal Canadiens: 1978-79: Bob Gainey: Montreal Canadiens: 1979-80: Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. For the first time in his career, Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier won the Frank J. Selke Trophy. [RELATED: Complete list of NHL Awards and Trophies winners]. 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