Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang has won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and is the first Penguins player to win the trophy since Mario Lemieux in 1993.
The Bill Masterton Award is given to the player who exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game of hockey.
After suffering a stroke in November, which was the second of Letang’s career, Letang only missed five games and returned to play for the Penguins just two weeks later.
Kris Letang showed that regardless of health concerns, if you put your mind to it, it is achievable. The 36-year-old defenseman for the Penguins is on the books for five more seasons making $6.1 million a year.
In Letang’s 2022-23 season, he posted 12 goals and 29 assists for 41 points in 64 games. Letang is a deserving recipient of the 2023 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy after the dedication he showed, especially after setbacks this season. When Letang came back to play, he looked like he never missed a step.
