How Brent Burns won the 2016-17 Norris Trophy
LAS VEGAS – Brent Burns. Fashion icon. Man-bun enthusiast. Descendant of Chewbacca. And now James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league’s best defenseman.
This season Burns set a San Jose Sharks franchise high in goals (29) and points (76) by a defensemen. Burns was the only nominee that received points on every single ballot received from the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
On stage, Burns went out his way to thank the other nominees, Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman. He pointed out Karlsson’s incredible saucer pass during the playoffs, and laughed saying his coaches probably wouldn’t be too happy if he did the same thing.
As for Karlsson, the perennial nominee fell 33 first place votes shy of winning this third Norris since 2012.
Here’s how the voting broke down:
