LAS VEGAS, NV—Sharks defenseman Brent Burns has received the 2017 James Norris Memorial Trophy. The award is issued annually to the NHL defenseman who substantiates the greatest all-around ability throughout the season.

Burns, who was a finalist for the award last season, is a first-time winner of the Norris Trophy and the first active Sharks player to receive the award. He edged out opponents Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators) and Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning).

In 2015, he won the NHL Foundation Player Award which is given to the player “who applies the core values of hockey-commitment, perseverance and teamwork-to enrich the lives of people in his community.”

This season Burns was also nominated as a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award (for the “most outstanding player”), courtesy of voters from the NHL Players’ Association. He was also appointed the Sharks Foundation “Player of the Year” and admitted to his third NHL All-Star game. Before the start of the 2016-2017 season, the Barrie, Ontario native also helped Team Canada win the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Standing at 6 foot and 5 inches tall, and weighing 230 pounds, Burns led the NHL this season in points with 76 and goals with 29 (along with 47 assists that comprised his 76 points) in 82 games while attaining a plus-19 rating. His number of goals is a Sharks franchise-high for a defenseman in a single season. With 76 points, he surpassed the Sharks franchise record he set in 2016 for most points by a blueliner in one season.

Burns was initially selected by the Minnesota Wild in the first round (20th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft. He signed with San Jose on June 24, 2011.