Mike Green Named Norris Finalist

A Hockey Mom fist bump to Capital's defenseman Mike Green who was nominated as a finalist for the NHL's Norris Trophy today, along with 20-year old Drew Doughty of the L.A. Kings and the Chicago Blackhawk's Duncan Keith.

Here's the official scoop via the team's press release:

Mike Green Named a Finalist for Norris Trophy

NHL’s top offensive defenseman could win team’s third Norris Trophy

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Hockey League announced today that Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green is one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy, which is presented annually to the top defenseman in the league. Green joins Los Angeles’ Drew Doughty and Chicago’s Duncan Keith as the three finalists.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Norris Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters announced as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 23, during the 2010 NHL Awards that will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada.

Green could become the second Capital to win the Norris trophy and first since Rod Langway won the award in back-to-back years (1982-83, 1983-84). The Calgary, Alberta, native led all NHL defensemen in goals (19), assists (57) and points (76) in 75 games this season. His +39 rating was second among NHL defenseman – trailing only defense partner Jeff Schultz – and he had at least a point in 56 of 75 games.


One of three active defenseman with a 70-point season, Green is just the seventh defenseman in NHL history to post consecutive 70-point seasons before turning 25. He posted three point streaks of at least eight games during the season – no other NHL defenseman had one – and led the league’s defensemen with 35 power-play points (10 goals, 25 assists).


Green won the “Espo Award” as the best defenseman in the league from Phil Esposito on NHL Home Ice for the second year in a row. This is Green’s second year in a row as a Norris finalist, the only one of this year’s finalists making his second appearance in the group. Last year Green was the runner-up to Boston’s Zdeno Chara for the award and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team.