As the season winds down, we’re bound to get more and more award talk. Of the voted honors, one has the distinction of having a nominee from every team in the running.
Detroit chapter of PHWA has nominated #RedWings Daniel Alfredsson for 2014 Bill Masterton Trophy for dedication to hockey.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) March 31, 2014
Here’s the full rundown of the award’s qualifications from NHL.com
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.
Last year’s winner was Minnesota’s Josh Harding, who was diagnosed with MS and has battled through that condition to continue his NHL career.
While the award in recent memory has generally been handed out to the player who overcame the greatest tragedy/obstacle to continue his career, it’s important to note that every city nominates a player and that each of the nominees is important to the process. There isn’t really a bad reason to earn a Masterton nominee because the criteria are so incredibly subjective. It’s also important that the Masterton not essentially be the Frank Grimes award for terrible luck as a professional hockey player, even though that’s sometimes what it seems to be.
The 41-year old Alfredsson has played NHL hockey as long as Nathan MacKinnon and Alexsander Barkov have been alive. If that doesn’t speak to perseverance and dedication, then not much does.
Alfredsson follows Patrick Eaves and Tomas Holmstrom as the last two Red Wings Masterton Nominees. The final award winner will be named at the NHL Awards Ceremony this summer.
