Bergeron is Once Again Proving Why the Selke Should Be Renamed

Patrice Bergeron is arguably the best defensive forward to ever play in the NHL, and even at the age of 37, he's continued to show why.

How Does He Keep Doing It!?

In the 19th season of his legendary career, the Bruins captain is perhaps having his best defensive season yet. Which seems impossible as he's already won a record setting five Selke Trophies.




As per Natural Stat-Trick, Bergeron is once again near, or at the top of several important defensive stats, bringing up the question: Should the NHL rename the Selke for Patrice Bergeron?

Among forwards with at least 800 minutes of time on ice at 5 on 5, the following are the stats, and Bergeron's rank and his season total in brackets.

Goals For - 114th (45)
Goals Against - 1st (18)
GF% - 1st (71.34)
Expected GF% - 2nd (63.02)


What's interesting, is Bergeron ranks in the top ten of offensive and defensive zone starts among that same group of players.

O Zone Starts - 2nd (303)
D Zone Starts - 10th (207)
N Zone Starts - 185th (177)
O Zone Starts% - 84th (59.41)
On the Fly - 192nd (638)


Elite defensive ability may go unnoticed to most fans, as it's the most difficult to judge. But it's safe to say that Bergeron has become the example of how it's done perfect.

To go with his defensive numbers, the veteran has registered 27 goals and 30 assists in 74 games.
NHL players in this story
Patrice Bergeron