Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron wins record sixth Selke Trophy

If Patrice Bergeron does choose to retire, the Bruins captain and future Hall of Famer is going out with one more Frank J. Selke Trophy. Bergeron was presented with the honor for the sixth time, Monday night at the NHL awards gala in Nashville.

Bergeron hasn’t decided, or at least hasn’t announced whether he plans to return to the Bruins next season or retire.

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Bergeron wasn’t at the ceremony. In his recorded acceptance speech, he said: “Sorry I couldn’t be with you all. My wife and I are about to welcome a new addition to our family.”

If he walks away, it’s not because the 37-year-old can’t play anymore. Bergeron remained one of the league’s top two-way forwards. This was the 12th straight season he’s been a finalist for the Selke, which goes to “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game as judged by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.” He received 187 of 196 first-place votes.

Bergeron previously won the award in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2022. He has more Selke Trophies than any player in league history.

Bergeron had 27 goals and 31 assists in 78 games in 2022-23 and was a plus-35. He led the National Hockey League with a 61.1 faceoff percentage and anchored the league’s best penalty kill.