DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom was named a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded "to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.''

It is sixth time he has been a finalist for this award, the first since 2003. He finished second or third in voting from 1999-2003. No defenseman has won the award since

Lidstrom had just 20 penalty minutes in 82 games.

Dallas left wing Loui Eriksson and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis are the other two finalists. The winner will be announced June 22, during the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas.

It was the first time in six years that teammate Pavel Datsyuk, a four-time Byng winner, was not nominated.

“I’m honored to be nominated,'' Lidstrom said. “I told Pav on the flight that I apologize if I took his spot, but he wasn’t feeling bad about it.''

Detroit's Red Kelly was the last defenseman to win the award (1954). Kelly also won it as a center with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1961.

“For whatever reason, not too many defensemen have won it,'' Lidstrom said. “It would mean a lot. You’re playing a tough position where you’re prone to take more penalties than a forward.''

Here is a breakdown of the candidates, as provided by the NHL:

Loui Eriksson, Dallas Stars

Eriksson is a trophy finalist for the first time in his five-year NHL career. The 25-year-old Gothenburg, Sweden native played a strong two-way game for the Stars, leading the club in power-play goals (10) and game-winning goals (six) and placing second in scoring with a career-high 73 points (27 goals, 46 assists) and in plus-minus with a +10 rating. He posted a nine-game assist streak from Dec. 28 to Jan. 15, tied for the longest in the League this season. Eriksson received just eight minutes in penalties, the fewest among the League’s top 50 scorers and by any player appearing in at least 76 games.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings

Lidstrom is a Lady Byng finalist for the first time in eight years and for the sixth time in his NHL career. He has never won the trophy, finishing second or third in the voting for five consecutive years from 1999 through 2003. Lidstrom enjoyed one of his most productive seasons, ranking second among NHL defensemen in scoring with 62 points (16 goals, 46 assists) in 82 games, highlighted by a career-best 11-game point streak. The Red Wings captain, who turns 41 on Apr. 28, assumed his usual heavy workload yet rarely saw the penalty box, receiving just 20 penalty minutes in a team-leading 1,924:25 of ice time.

Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

St. Louis joins Lidstrom as a six-time Lady Byng Trophy finalist, all in the past seven seasons; he captured the award for the first time in 2009-10 after finishing second from 2007 through 2009 and third in 2004. The 35-year-old wing surged late in the season, tallying points in each of his last nine games and in 15 of his final 17 to finish second in League scoring with 99 points (31 goals, 68 assists). He tied a franchise record for assists in a season and posted the second-highest point total in his 12-year NHL career. St. Louis was assessed just 12 minutes in penalties, matching his career low set last year.