Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron Nominated For NHL Foundation Player Award

Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has a strong chance to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy as this season’s best defensive forward, but that might not be the only individual honor he receives over the next two months.

The NHL announced Friday that Bergeron, along with Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith and San Jose Sharks forward Brent Burns, are the finalists for this year’s NHL Foundation Player Award.

The award is given annually to a player “who applies the core values of hockey — commitment, perseverance and teamwork — to enrich the lives of people in his community.”

According to an NHL press release, “In 2006-07, (Bergeron) introduced ‘Patrice’s Pals,’ a program that provides children from various youth organizations the opportunity to watch Bruins home games from a luxury suite and meet Bergeron following the game. Among the charities that have participated are Boston Children’s Hospital, Defending the Blue Line, Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Franciscan Hospital for Children, The Jimmy Fund, The Home for Little Wanderers and Massachusetts General Hospital.”

Bergeron would be the first Bruins player to win this award, which was created before the 1997-98 season.

The winner will be revealed during the 2014 NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vegas on June 24. The league will donate $25,000 to a charity chosen by the winner.