He is the first Predators player to win the award.
"It means a lot. It's definitely a dream come true," Josi said. "As a player the ultimate goal is to win the Stanley Cup. But I think personally you try to prepare for the season and be the best player you can be. You try to work on things in the summer. If every guy tries to be the best player, your team is going to have success. From a personal standpoint, it's always been a dream of mine and it's pretty surreal I've actually won it."
Josi had NHL career highs in goals (16), assists (49) and points (65) in 69 games this season. He was second in the NHL among defensemen in each category, and his assists and points were the most by a defenseman in Nashville history. Josi was third in the NHL in average ice time per game (25:47), scored 23 power-play points, and led the Predators with 108 blocked shots and a plus-22 rating.
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"It's pretty special," Josi said. "I was looking at some of the names who have won it, and those are all names you've idolized. When I was younger, Scott Niedermayer was a guy I looked up to. I really loved his game. Chris Pronger, Chris Chelios, so many guys. Obviously, Bobby Orr, it was long ago, but to be next to those guys is pretty cool. Growing up in Switzerland they always seemed to be so far away it's unbelievable my name is on there beside so many greats who have won it before".
As captain, he helped the Predators (35-26-8, .565 points percentage) earn a berth in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, when they lost a best-of-5 series to the Arizona Coyotes in four games.
Josi credited Ryan Ellis, his defense partner.
"He's such a rock back there and so solid," Josi said. "He lets me play my game. ... I probably should give half of this trophy to him. He's an unbelievable player and he deserves to win this. I'm very glad I'm playing with him."
Josi finished with 1,499 points, including 109 first-place votes, in voting for the award by the Professional Hockey Writers Association before the postseason began.
John Carlson of the Washington Capitals and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning were the other finalists. Carlson finished second with 1,267 points (56 first-place votes), and Hedman had 820 points (four first-place votes).
"Congrats to John and Victor for amazing seasons," Josi said. "I love competing against you guys, I love watching you guys play. You guys are both very deserving of this award."
