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Erik Karlsson wins 2012 Norris Trophy

It's been a heck of a year for Erik Karlsson. He set a franchise record for scoring by a defenceman, leading the league in that category by 25 points, led the surprising Ottawa Senators into the playoffs, signed a seven-year contract worth $45.5M, and capped it all off by taking home the 2012 James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's best blueliner.

Plus he's apparently getting married in a couple of weeks. Our special little guy (™ WTYKY) is all grown up...

The 22-year-old is the youngest defenceman to win the award since legendary Senators colour commentator Denis Potvin won it back in 1976. He's also the third Senator to win a major award based on voting, preceded by Daniel Alfredsson (Calder Memorial Trophy, 1996) and Jacques Martin (Jack Adams Award, 1999). (Wade Redden's 2006 win of the Bud Light Plus-Minus Award doesn't count, in my opinion.)

According to Graeme Nichols of The 6th Sens, Karlsson received 66 first-, 31 second-, 32 third-, nine fourth-, and five fifth-place votes.

Neither of the Sens' other two nominees, Alfredsson (Masterton Trophy) and Paul MacLean (Jack Adams Award), won the awards for which they were nominated.

UPDATE: ... but Alfredsson did win the King Clancy Memorial Trophy as the NHLer who "best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community."

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