Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara was announced Monday as a Norris Trophy finalist for the third time in four seasons.
Rounding out the three finalists for the honor, awarded annually “to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position,” are Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators.
Chara played in 77 games for the Bruins during the regular season, ranking in the top 10 among NHL defensemen in goals (17), plus/minus (plus-25) and power-play goals (10). The 37-year-old’s goal and power-play goal totals were his highest since 2008-09, the season in which he won the lone Norris Trophy of his career.
Chara added 23 assists to finish with 40 points on the season (tied with Torey Krug for the most among Bruins blueliners), and his average time on ice of 24:39 led all B’s players by nearly three minutes. He also was the only the only Bruins skater to score multiple goals (two) in the team’s first-round playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings, which Boston won in five games.
Keith has one Norris Trophy to his credit (2009-10), and Weber was the runner-up for the award in both 2010-11 and 2011-12. Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban took home the trophy last season.
