Mark Giordano is a Norris Trophy finalist
By Ryan Pike
5 years ago In the aftermath of the Calgary Flames’ disappointing playoff exit, some good news. Flames captain Mark Giordano has been announced as one of the three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
Giordano, 35, flat-out had the best season of his career, one of the best over-35 seasons in league history and one of the best seasons for a defenseman in Flames franchise history. He had 17 goals and 74 points in 78 games, and was one of the top all-around defensemen in the NHL.
Being a finalist means that Giordano finished top three in the Professional Hockey Writers Association’s balloting for the award. He’s been “in the mix” for the Norris since he turned 30 and inherited the Flames captaincy from Jarome Iginla in 2013-14:
- 2013-14 (30): 14 goals, 47 points, +12, 10th in voting
- 2014-15 (31): 11 goals, 48 points, +13, 6th in voting (missed last quarter of season with injury)
- 2015-16 (32): 21 goals, 56 points, -5, 13th in voting
- 2016-17 (33): 12 goals, 39 points, +22, 8th in voting
- 2017-18 (34): 13 goals, 38 points, even, 16th in voting
No Flames player has ever won the Norris Trophy. Al MacInnis finished second in balloting in 1989-90 and 1990-91, as did Dion Phaneuf in 2007-08.
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