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NHL Awards 2013: Jonathan Toews Wins Frank J. Selke Trophy for Best Defensive Forward

By Josh Hill

Jun 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is interviewed during media day in preparation for game one of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is interviewed during media day in preparation for game one of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is interviewed during media day in preparation for game one of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is interviewed during media day in preparation for game one of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Blackhawks are back in the Stanley Cup this year and that has so much to do with the talents of captain Jonathan Toews. The NHL recognized his efforts as a defensive forward this year by awarding Toews the Frank J. Selke trophy for the best defensive forward in all of hockey. It was a shortened year, but Toews still managed to put together one heck of a campaign and he’s reaping the benefits in more than just one way so far.

Ask him and he’ll tell you he won’t stop until he hoists Lord Stanley’s Cup over his head once more time but even if that doesn’t happen, he’s at the very least walking away with some hardware of some kind.

Toews was the leader of the best team in hockey this year as he played a big role in helping the Blackhawks jump out to a record setting start to their season. They remained strong throughout the year and Toews’ efforts defensively have been lauded all year long. He left most of the goal scoring up to Patrick Kane and demonstrated what a team can do when their top two players ping pong skills off of one another. While Kane was leading the league in scoring, Toews was making sure Ray Emery and Corey Crawford were getting the help they needed and everything has all come together with a trip to the Stanley Cup.

The ride for Toews and the Blackhawks is far from over, but already they have enough recognition from what they’ve done this season to tide most teams over, but the Selke Trophy will have to sit on the sideline for now while the best defensive forward in hockey tries to win his team another Stanley Cup.

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