Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara was named one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy on Monday, awarded each season to the top defenseman in the NHL. Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators are the other finalists.
Chara won the award in 2009, finished second in 2004 and third in 2008 and 2011. He had a plus-25 rating this season, ranking seventh among all defensemen.
The 6-foot-9 Chara had 17 goals this season, the second-best mark of his career and fourth among defensemen. Ten of his goals were on power plays, ranking him second among his peers.
"It's obviously a huge honor," Chara said. "It's one of those things you're very proud of. It's something you need to have the whole team working toward the same direction and working together. It's a reflection of the whole season, having a strong and steady season as a team and that's why we have a number of guys nominated, but I'm very humbled. It's a huge honor to be nominated again."
Keith, who played in 79 games this season, led all defensemen with 55 assists and had 61 points. He won the award in 2009-10.
"It's a huge honor to be nominated for the Norris Trophy," Keith said in a statement. "I wouldn't be nominated without having great teammates and a great defense partner in Brent Seabrook. It's a special feeling to be up for this award."
Weber, Nashville's captain, had 23 goals -- most this season for a defenseman -- and 33 assists. He was a runner-up for the award in back-to-back seasons (2010-11, 2011-12).
Chara is the third Bruins player to be named an awards finalist this season. Goalie Tuukka Rask was among the three nominees for the Vezina Trophy, and Patrice Bergeron is a finalist for the Selke Trophy.
Information from ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald was used in this report.