The NHL announced on Monday that Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli will finish in third place for the 2024-25 Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.
This was the first time a Tampa Bay Lightning player has ever been named a finalist for the award.
Cirelli joined Florida Panthers captain, Aleksander Barkov who finished first and Sam Reinhart who grabbed the second place spot.
Barkov appeared on 173 of the 191 ballots and was the top choice on 96 for 1,363 voting points. His teammate Reinhart, a Selke finalist for the first time, finished second in voting with 837 points, including 29 first-place votes. Cirelli followed closely behind, also getting 29 first-place votes and collecting 828 points.
“For Cirelli to be in that group of players is richly deserved, but sometimes for these awards you have to wait your time,” Jon Cooper said at end of season availability. “He consistently played with his heart on his sleeve, and now he's getting rewarded for it."
Cirelli recorded a career-best +30 rating this season, seventh among NHL forwards, and set a new scoring mark with 59 points (27 goals, 32 assists) in 80 games. He led all Lightning forwards in shorthanded ice time (164:19) for a unit that ranked sixth in the NHL at 81.6% and contributed seven shorthanded points (four goals, three assists), tied for second in the NHL.
Cirelli is a first-time NHL Awards finalist however, he’s had two top-five finishes, finishing fourth in 2019-20 and fifth in 2021-22. He has received votes every season since 2018-19, his first full season in the NHL.
