Former Bruin named finalist for Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. It is named after Bill Masterton, the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one player. It is often awarded to a player who has come back from a career or even life-threatening illness or injury.
The NHL announced its three finalists earlier this morning:
45-year-old Zdeno Chara of the New York Islanders became just the eighth player to skate in 24 NHL seasons. He appeared in 72 games with the Islanders this season, and in February, he broke Chris Chelios' record for most games by a defenceman. By season's end, he had appeared in 1,680 regular-season NHL games.
Kevin Hayes of the Philadelphia Flyers played the 2021-22 season with a heavy heart following the tragic passing of his brother and former NHL player Jimmy Hayes. Kevin Hayes also overcame a blood infection and three surgeries to skate in 48 games for the Flyers this season, scoring 10 goals and 31 points.
Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens rejoined the club in mid-April for just four games. The 2021-22 season was the 15th of his NHL career. The return came after Price missed the start of the season after voluntarily entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and trying to rehab an off-season knee surgery.
It's hard to pick a winner for this trophy as all three are very deserving, as they all had to go through a lot to play in the NHL this season. It's tough not to give it to Kevin Hayes, to be able to play after the passing of his brother and after multiple surgeries.
MY PICK: Kevin Hayes
The last Boston Bruin to win the Bill Masterson Trophy was Phil Kessel in 2006-07. He won the award after being diagnosed and hospitalized with testicular cancer in his rookie season.
