The National Hockey League announced Friday that Montreal Canadiens players Nick Suzuki won the Frank J. Selke Trophy and Cole Caufield captured the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.
The NHL and the Montreal Canadiens surprised both players at the Bell Centre between Games 3 and 4 against Buffalo. Staff secretly instructed Suzuki to present the Lady Byng to Caufield. They also told Caufield to hand the Selke to his captain.
Suzuki’s Defensive Excellence Rewarded
Suzuki became the first Hab since Guy Carbonneau (1991–92) to win the Selke Trophy, awarded to the forward who best excels defensively. He earned 151 first‑place votes and 1,726 points from the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). That total put him well ahead of Anthony Cirelli (467) and Brock Nelson (406).
“There are a lot of different players in the league that you just get used to knowing, reading, and different things like that, and teams, how they try to focus on doing things. So, I think just learning through the league and putting it into my game has probably been the biggest growth,” said Suzuki explaining his growth defensively.
Suzuki finished the season with 29 goals, 101 points, and a plus‑37 rating. He also averaged 20:49 of ice time. The last player in the organization to surpass the 100-point mark was Mats Naslund in 1985-86. He also scored twice in six games representing Canada at the Milano Olympic Games.
“Within our team, we get to see it every day. We know the type of player that he is, and that’s what makes him so special—maybe the league hasn’t realized how good he is and how good he still can be. It’s always nice to see that recognition across the league,” Caufield said.
“Growing from being the worst team in the league to where we are now, it doesn’t happen without him and his leadership every day. There are so many things that he does that help the team as a whole, and we really follow his lead. It’s very well deserved, and the guys in the room will tell you that. We all knew he had that in him.”
Caufield’s Lady Byng Honor
Caufield became the first Canadiens player to win the Lady Byng since Mats Naslund in 1988–89. He received 45 first‑place votes and 776 points, finishing ahead of Anze Kopitar (602) and Jake Sanderson (585).
“If you look back on who’s won this award, it’s special to be considered,” Caufield said. “It’s cool because you get recognized for both sides of play—team-wise and on-ice success. It means a lot. It’s pretty special, and it feels pretty good.”
Caufield finished second in the Maurice Richard race with 51 goals, two behind Nathan MacKinnon. He also became the first Hab since Stéphane Richer in 1989–90 to score 50. He set a personal record with 88 points.
Home › Forums › Canadiens Suzuki, Caufield Earn NHL Honors