What is the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy?

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is an annual award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL) to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. The award is named in honor of Bill Masterton, who was a forward for the Minnesota North Stars and tragically died after suffering a head injury during a game in 1968.

Masterton’s death was a turning point in NHL history, as it brought attention to the need for better player safety and equipment. The league established the Masterton Trophy the following season to recognize players who demonstrated the qualities that Masterton embodied throughout his career.

The award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) and is typically presented at the NHL Awards ceremony at the end of the regular season. The winner is selected based on a combination of on-ice performance, personal dedication to the game, and commitment to their community.

Players who win the Masterton Trophy often have inspiring stories of overcoming adversity, whether it be injury, illness, personal loss, or other challenges. In some cases, the award is given to a player who has made a remarkable comeback after a career-threatening injury or illness. In other cases, it recognizes a player who has made significant contributions to their team and community despite facing personal obstacles.

Some of the most notable winners of the Masterton Trophy include Mario Lemieux, who won the award in 1993 after returning to the NHL following a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Dominic Moore, who won the award in 2014 after taking a year off from hockey to care for his wife, who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away later that year.

In addition to recognizing individual players, the Masterton Trophy also serves as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and perseverance in hockey and in life. The award is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit, and it continues to inspire fans and players alike to strive for greatness both on and off the ice.

In conclusion, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is a prestigious award that recognizes the dedication and perseverance of NHL players who embody the spirit of the game. The award serves as a tribute to the legacy of Bill Masterton and a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship, perseverance, and dedication in hockey and in life.

1968 – Claude Provost, Montreal Canadiens
1969 – Pit Martin, Chicago Blackhawks

1970 – Bobby Baun, Detroit Red Wings
1971 – Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers
1972 – Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers

1973 – Lowell MacDonald, Pittsburgh Penguins
1974 – Henri Richard, Montreal Canadiens
1975 – Don Luce, Buffalo Sabres

1976 – Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers
1977 – Ed Westfall, New York Islanders
1978 – Butch Goring, Los Angeles Kings

1979 – Serge Savard, Montreal Canadiens
1980 – Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames
1981 – Brad Park, Boston Bruins

1982 – Glenn Resch, Colorado Rockies
1983 – Lorne Stamler, Minnesota North Stars
1984 – Barry Beck, New York Rangers

1985 – Anders Hedberg, New York Rangers
1986 – Charlie Simmer, Boston Bruins
1987 – Doug Jarvis, Hartford Whalers

1988 – Bob Bourne, Los Angeles Kings
1989 – Tim Kerr, Philadelphia Flyers

1990 – Gord Kluzak, Boston Bruins

1991 – Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings

1992 – Mark Fitzpatrick, New York Islanders
1993 – Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins

1994 – Cam Neely, Boston Bruins
1995 – Pat LaFontaine, Buffalo Sabres
1996 – Gary Roberts, Calgary Flames

1997 – Tony Granato, San Jose Sharks
1998 – Jamie McLennan, St. Louis Blues
1999 – John Cullen, Tampa Bay Lightning

2000 – Ken Daneyko, New Jersey Devils
2001 – Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens
2002 – Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings

2003 – Steve Sullivan, Chicago Blackhawks
2004 – Bryan Berard, Chicago Blackhawks
2005 – No award due to NHL lockout

2006 – Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
2007 – Phil Kessel, Boston Bruins
2008 – Jason Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs

2009 – Steve Montador, Boston Bruins
2010 – Jose Theodore, Washington Capitals
2011 – Ian Laperriere, Philadelphia Flyers

2012 – Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens
2013 – Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild
2014 – Dominic Moore, New York Rangers

2015 – Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild
2016 – Jaromir Jagr, Florida Panthers
2017 – Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators

2018 – Brian Boyle, New Jersey Devils
2019 – Robin Lehner, New York Islanders
2020 – Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators

2021 – Oskar Lindblom, Philadelphia Flyers
2022 – Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

It’s worth noting that the selection process for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy was different in its early years, with the winner being chosen by a committee rather than the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.