Of all the trophies awarded in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, the Masterton Trophy may be the most sentimental.
Honoring late North Stars center Bill Masterton, who died in 1968 after hitting his head on the ice, it recognizes perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Lately, it has become a sort of injured comeback player of the year award (the past two winners both played while undergoing cancer treatments), but the PHWA has attempted in recent years, without success, to restore its original meaning, which is more of a career achievement award.
Each PHWA chapter nominates one player for the award each season, and the Carolina chapter of the PHWA is currently in the process of selecting this year's nominee from the Hurricanes.
Past nominees include:
2008 Glen Wesley
2007 Erik Cole
2006 Bret Hedican
2005 no season
2004 Rod Brind'Amour
2003 Kevin Weekes
2002 Ron Francis (NHL finalist)
2001 Glen Wesley
2000 Sean Hill
1999 Arturs Irbe
1998 Kevin Dineen
Special Bonus Question: Who should be the Hurricanes' nominee for the Masterton Trophy?
The floor is open.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at (919) 829-8947, @LukeDeCock on Twitter or
Comments
don't get frustrated with
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 05:25 — checkindon't get frustrated with this stuff.
microgaming casinos | play bonus slots
The dimocrat are destroying
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 23:34 — kajikopThe dimocrat are destroying this country. Unless you want to live in a socialist country with extremely high taxes, we need to get the dimwits out of office as soon as possible green tea.
Regards,
Ray Whitney
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 16:17 — Canes13Whitney hands down. He has been such an underrated, overlooked player most of his career. He is a leader on and off the ice. It is time he gets the long over due credit he deserves!
Whitney
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 14:44 — RX7RavenI'd have to give it to Whitney, class all the way from when he was a stick boy. BTW there is a great article about Ray on ESPN.com that I think everyone would enjoy.
Whitney
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 14:44 — RX7RavenI'd have to give it to Whitney, class all the way from when he was a stick boy. BTW there is a great article about Ray on ESPN.com that I think everyone would enjoy.
Masterton Trophy
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 13:35 — dondiJustin Williams
my vote is for
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 10:11 — esteban1949Chad LaRose
Ray Whitney
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 08:46 — abramsdougRay Whitney. Throughout his career, he has displayed leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the sport of hockey.
Masterton
Mon, 03/02/2009 - 08:10 — ammy144Chad LaRose