Las Vegas - Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Kesler has captured his first Frank Selke Trophy in recognition of "the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.

Kesler was a landslide winner, receiving 105 of the 127 first-place votes. He was named on 126 ballots and collected 1,179 points, ahead of second-place Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks (476). Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings, attempting to become the first player since Montreal Canadiens right wing Bob Gainey to win the award for four consecutive seasons, finished third with 348 points.

Kesler helped the Canucks record the lowest team goals-against average in the NHL (2.20) for the first time in franchise history. He ranked fourth among NHL forwards in blocked shots (80), appeared in all 82 games and averaged a career-high 20:29 in ice time to lead all Vancouver forwards. The speedy center ranked sixth among NHL centers in face-offs taken (1,496), winning a team-best and career-high 57.4% of them (859), dished out 124 hits; recorded a team-high 65 takeaways and posted a +24 rating.

2010-2011 Frank Selke Trophy Voting, Top 20 Finishers Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th)

1. Ryan Kesler, VAN 1,179 (105-14-5-2-0)
2. Jonathan Toews, CHI 476 (5-36-24-15-9)
3. Pavel Datsyuk, DET 348 (4-22-22-12-8)
4. Patrice Bergeron, BOS 296 (3-18-21-9-8)
5. Manny Malhotra, VAN 229 (6-10-10-14-7)
6. Frans Nielsen, NYI 97 (0-4-8-6-11)
7. David Backes, STL 88 (1-2-6-9-7)
8. Mike Richards, PHI 83 (1-2-4-11-6)
9. Anze Kopitar, L.A. 55 (0-2-4-5-6)
10. Ryan Callahan, NYR 51 (0-1-5-5-4)
11. Brooks Laich, WSH 36 (0-1-2-4-7)
12. Henrik Zetterberg, DET 33 (0-2-2-2-3)
13. Tomas Plekanec, MTL 29 (0-1-1-3-8)
14. Claude Giroux, PHI 25 (1-0-1-3-1)
15. Jordan Staal, PIT 25 (0-2-2-0-1)
16. Brad Richards, DAL 15 (0-0-2-1-2)
17. Pascal Dupuis, PIT 14 (0-2-0-0-0)
18. Brandon Prust, NYR 14 (0-1-0-2-1)
19. Martin St. Louis, T.B. 12 (0-1-1-0-0)
20. Michael Grabner, NYI 11 (1-0-0-0-1)

Frank Selke Trophy Winners Since 1990 Year Winner Runner-up

2010 Pavel Datsyuk, Det. Ryan Kesler, Van.
2009 Pavel Datsyuk, Det Mike Richards, Phi.
2008 Pavel Datsyuk, Det. John Madden, N.J.
2007 Rod Brind'Amour, Car. Samuel Pahlsson, Ana.
2006 Rod Brind'Amour, Car. Jere Lehtinen, Dal.
2004 Kris Draper, Det. John Madden, N.J.
2003 Jere Lehtinen, Dal. John Madden, N.J.
2002 Michael Peca, NYI Craig Conroy, Cgy.
2001 John Madden, N.J. Joe Sakic, Col.
2000 Steve Yzerman, Det. Michal Handzus St.L
1999 Jere Lehtinen, Dal. Magnus Arvedson, Ott.
1998 Jere Lehtinen, Dal. Michael Peca, Buf.
1997 Michael Peca, Buf. Peter Forsberg, Col.
1996 Sergei Fedorov, Det. Ron Francis, Pit.
1995 Ron Francis, Pit. Esa Tikkanen, St.L
1994 Sergei Fedorov, Det. Doug Gilmour, Tor.
1993 Doug Gilmour, Tor. Dave Poulin, Bos.
1992 Guy Carbonneau, Mtl. Sergei Fedorov, Det.
1991 Dirk Graham, Chi. Esa Tikkanen, Edm.
1990 Rick Meagher, St.L Guy Carbonneau, Mtl