Last Word On Sports is doing our annual awards nominations and predictions. We’ll be giving you our nominations and predictions for the Selke Trophy, Vezina Trophy, Calder Trophy, Norris Trophy, Jack Adams Trophy, and the Hart Trophy.
Inaugurated in 1968, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy was awarded to the Montreal Canadiens’ Claude Provost for his perseverance in the 1967-68 season. That year, he recorded 14 goals and 30 assists in the regular season before helping the Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup. Colorado Rockies’ Glenn Resch became the first goalie to receive the honor of receive the Masterton Trophy, following a 1981-82 season where the team struggled and Resch was the only thing keeping the core of men together through tough times.
Last year, New York Rangers forward Dominic Moore won the award after coming back to the game following the passing of his wife, Katie. At the age of 32, Katie was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer and lost a nine-month battle, leaving behind her husband, Dominic. Moore has since created a foundation in his wife’s honor, known as The Katie Moore Foundation, which is dedicated to helping patients and families with rare cancers through research, advocacy and community. Moore then returned to the team and helped them reach the 96-point plateau and second place finish within their division, before making it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. The two other finalists of last year were Jaromir Jagr of the New Jersey Devils and Manny Malhotra of the Carolina Hurricanes.
As the NHL.com website states:
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is an annual award under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and is given to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
As all 30 teams have named their candidate for this year’s award, we take a stab at naming the top three candidates, and throw in an honourable mention as well.
Honourable Mention
Eric Fehr
Washington Capitals
The Winkler, Manitoba native is close to tying his season high total in goals (21), recorded back in the 2009-10 season. Battling back from three shoulder surgeries, Eric Fehr has been a consistent cog for the Washington Capitals shut-down line, while potting in the occasional goal. Outside of hockey, Fehr co-wrote a children’s book titled The Bulliest Dozer. The goal was to raise funds for bullying prevention while encouraging children to say be a positive influence. All 100% of the proceeds went to charity and the book was sold for $10 online, at Washingtoncaps.com, while an additional $10 earned you a copy autographed by Fehr.
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Candidates
Shane Doan
Arizona Coyotes
While Shane Doan’s battle with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever occurred last season, details were not known until this year, and what the Arizona Coyotes captain has overcome is nothing short of remarkable. Spending up to 18-hours at a time in a hospital bed being tested and undergoing a spinal tap, Doan returned to the line-up and has played up to his reputation of a rugged leader. While the Coyotes are going absolutely nowhere this year and they hope for high pick to translate into a solid prospect, the 38-year-old Doan has nothing to be ashamed about after posting a near-40 point season on a terrible hockey team. A few other notable forwards that were edged out by Doan were the likes of Nick Foligno of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who enjoyed a solid season with the Columbus Blue Jackets while also becoming an advocate for the surgery his daughter needed, after she was born with a congenital heart defect, and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings, who at 36 years of age still has no quit to his two-way game.
Kris Letang
Pittsburgh Penguins
Not too many players have had to endure the 15-month span that Kris Letang has gone through. In that time, the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman has battled back through two concussions and a stroke. In 69 games this season, the 27-year-old Montreal native has hit the 50-point plateau, scoring 11 goals and adding 43 assists. Unfortunately for him and the Penguins team, Letang suffered yet another concussion at the tail-end of the regular season, forcing him out of action for the last week of the season and possibly the playoffs as well, should Pittsburgh qualify. The only defenseman notable of being mentioned in this year’s class was Stephane Robidas of the Toronto Maple Leafs, for overcoming two broken legs and becoming a veteran presence for the youth in the Leafs locker room.
Pekka Rinne
Nashville Predators
In a tough crop of goaltenders that could win this award, such as Andrew Hammond for his incredible run with the Ottawa Senators, Devan Dubnyk and the winds of change he brought to the Minnesota Wild, or Scott Darling for finding a home in Chicago after becoming a journeyman through several pro leagues, none have out-down the comeback story of Pekka Rinne. After missing a chunk of the 2013-14 season, causing the Nashville Predators to just miss out on the post-season, Rinne came back with a vengeance and hit the 40-win plateau despite missing a month of action due to a knee injury. The Finnish netminder has been among the leaders in all statistics among goaltenders and is one of the biggest reasons why the Predators sit among the top three teams in the Central division. If it wasn’t for Carey Price setting the Montreal Canadiens’ record for most wins in a single season with 43 and being pegged as the favorite for several trophies, Rinne would be a shoe-in for the Vezina.
My Ballot Choices
First Place: Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
Second Place: Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Third Place: Shane Doan, Arizona Coyotes
