After scoring what would be the game-winning goal for the Chicago Blackhawks in their Stanley Cup clinching Game 6 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, and shouldering an incredible workload during the playoffs, Duncan Keith added another accolade to his already stellar career as he was unanimously voted the winner of the 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy.

The 31-year-old became just the eighth different defenseman to win the honor, and the first since Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

Keith managed the feat as the Blackhawks leaned mightily on just four defensemen for most of their championship run on his way to averaging over 31 minutes a contest to become just the fourth player in NHL history to play more than 700 minutes in a single postseason. He joins a short list of players that includes Drew Doughty (2014), Chris Pronger (2006) and Nicklas Lidstrom (2002).

While his will to overcome playing in such heavy minutes was incredible enough in itself, his resiliency in coming back even stronger just when it looked like the load would become to heavy for him was even more impressive. Keith was a steady force in the defensive zone for most of the playoffs, and made it a two-way effort by driving the team's offense frequently.

He capped his historic postseason with totals of 18 assists (tops in the league) on his way to becoming just the 20th defenseman in history to tally at least 20 points in a single postseason. Overall, he figured in 30 percent of the Blackhawks' goals during these past playoffs. As noted by CBSSports, only one other defenseman in the last 15 years was able to accomplish that feat (Pronger in 2006).

In his brilliant career, Keith has won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks, two Norris trophies as the league's best defenseman, and now the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.