2014 NHL Awards Preview – Bill Masterton Trophy

HHOF.com

SenShot continues its preview of the NHL awards today looking at those who are traditionally not necessarily the best players, but the ones who show amazing recovery from injury, illness or personal upheval to make a positive contribution to the game of hockey on the ice.

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey

This year’s group of nominees run the full gamete from a personal hell to a never say quit attitude to long-term dedication to the game.

The 2014 nominees are:

Apr 5, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; New Jersey Devils forward Jaromir Jagr (68) reacts against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Jaromir Jagr, New Jersey Devils

The ageless wonder was one of  a handful of 40 year olds in the NHL, and was the most successful.  He led the Devils in assists, points and +/-.

He moved into 6th place all time in scoring and next season should pass Marcel Dionne and Ron Francis into 4th place and could eclipse the 1,800 point mark.  All that and he missed 3 full seasons with his KHL sabbatical.

Feb 25, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Manny Malhotra (22) waits for the face-off against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Manny Malhotra, Carolina Hurricanes

Most thought Malhotra’s career was over after an eye injury forced him into early retirement as a Canuck after playing just 9 games in the 2012-13 season.  Much like Bryan Berard a few years earlier, Malhotra wouldn’t say no and signed an AHL tryout with the Canes organization.  He passed that test and played 69 NHL games with Carolina.

He was the 2nd best faceoff man in the league (among those qualified), at just under 60%.  He was also named an alternate captain in Carolina.

Mar 30, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers forward Dominic Moore (28) skates against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Dominic Moore, New York Rangers

The much publicized return to the NHL for Moore following the tragic loss of his wife Katie to liver cancer was one of the top feel-good stories of the year.  Moore started a foundation in the name of his late wife and came back to the NHL in his traditional checking role.