Florida Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell has captured the 2011-12 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded "to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability," as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Campbell received 31 first-place votes and was named on 89 ballots among the 147 cast for a total of 582 points, winning a close three-way race over Edmonton's Jordan Eberle (518) and the New York Islanders' Matt Moulson (517).
Campbell is the first defenseman to win the Lady Byng Trophy since Hockey Hall of Famer Red Kelly in 1954.
Campbell anchored the defense corps on a Florida club that posted a 22-point increase over 2010-11 and captured its first division title in franchise history. He took on a heavy workload by appearing in all 82 games and leading the NHL in total ice time (2,205:31), yet was whistled for just six penalty minutes. He ranked third among League defensemen in scoring with 53 points (four goals, 49 assists).
Some interesting observations among NHL voting:
- Ray Whitney received votes for both the Hart and Selke trophies.
- One voter gave Maxime Talbot a first place ballot for the Selke trophy.
- James Neal, Jamie Benn and Radim Vrbata all receive Hart Trophy votes.
- How about Erik Karlsson winning the Norris trophy as best defenseman, just one day after signing a 7 year, $45.5 million contract!
1 comment:
Karlson winning the Norris is an absolute JOKE. Really, the guy doesn't even play defense on his own team's PK unit !!!! His plus/minus is worse than any of the other finalists BAR NONE and that's WITH his own scoring statistics factored in. I have lost all faith in the voters to make the right choices.
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