HE DID IT! Drew Doughty was named as a finalist for the Norris Trophy on Friday! He'll be competing with MIke Green from Washington and Duncan Keith from Chicago.

Kings fans everywhere are rejoicing on this huge achievement for No. 8. And you can count me as one.

Here's the official release from the NHL:

Doughty, who won’t turn 21 until Dec. 8, is vying to become the second-youngest Norris Trophy winner -- Bobby Orr won his first of a record eight at 20 years, 3 months of age. With 59 points, Doughty ranked third in the NHL in scoring among defensemen, behind fellow finalists Mike Green and Duncan Keith. Doughty’s 16 goals -- including five game-winners, tops among NHL defensemen -- tied him with Nashville’s Shea Weber for second-most among League blueliners behind Green’s 19. He logged 24:58 of ice time per game, which led the Kings and ranked 13th among all NHL players, and posted a plus-20 rating. 

Now before you start with me, let's get this out of the way. Individualawards really mean nothing in a team sport like hockey. And yes, it'sstill early to start guessing who is going to win postseason awards.Just go with it.

Ever since last season when Doughty lost out on the Calder Trophy to goaltender Steve Mason, I have been discouraged. Even after presenting the hockey world to the Doughty Manifesto, people failed to see the potential of the kid from London, Ontario. That all changed in Vancouver.

Now since donning the Canadian national hockey jersey for the Winter Olympics, Doughty has become a media darling. Doughty is on the lips of every hockey fan east of the Rockies, and has been touted as the next Bobby Orr, arguably the best hockey player of all time. (Sorry Gretzky.)

Now it's a call to arms. Now it is time to combine our forces and get the word out. Let you voices be heard from the tallest mountain and deepest message board. Call a friend, call an enemy, call your mom... Over on Facebook, you can join the DrewDoughty for Norris fan page, and let your voice be heard. Flood opposing team fan sites, write out-of-town hockey beat writers, pick fights with other team's bloggers...

If this was Star Wars, you'd be receiving a message to Execute Order 66. If this was Battlestar Galactica, you'd be hearing All Along the Watchtower. If this was Godfather II, it would be time to settle all family business.

It is the time to raise awareness and wake up those dunderheads back East and get everyone to admit that Doughty was the best defenseman in the league this season.

You better believe that if Doughty played for an Original Six team, he'd be a shoo-in. If he played in Canada, he'd have already won the next 5 Norris trophies. But because he often plays when those Wrong Coasters put on their Paul Frank flannel jammies and go to bed, he gets ignored. Thing is, he can't be ignored for long.

If there was an All-Star game, you better believe he'd be on the Western squad and starting. His name was one that was written in ink when they were deciding the Canadian team for the Olympics. When he jumps up and makes a move toward the net on offense, you know something's going to happen. And now, Drew and the rest of the Kings are poised to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

And it's not about the stats. Last year's winner, Zdeno Chara, didn't lead in any offensive category. But it was his all-around play that earned the 6-foot-9 beast the hardware. That's where Doughty's strength is. He's the team leader with time on the ice. He plays on the power play, he plays on the penalty kill, you can't pry him off the ice.

It's time to right the wrong from last season, to erase the bad memories of a Calder Trophy lost. Now is the time for all good Kings fans to come to the aid of their star defenseman. Get the word out.

Doughty for the Norris. DO IT!

Here's some videos to prove my point

The live announcement this morning



NHL.com's breakdown of the finalists



Here's Drew's reaction...



Here's a feature after the Olympics, with Drew talking gold medals.



Here's Heidi Androl with a player spotlight on Doughnuts.



Here's a highlight video made by Kings fan rommelsalviano



Here's Don Cherry comparing Doughty's spin-o-rama to Bobby Orr's



And of course, Doughty's payback on Bobby Ryan... naturally