Daniel Alfredsson, Joffrey Lupul, Max Pacioretty nominated for Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy –NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL) announced its three finalists for the annual Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, an award which is presented "to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey", on Tuesday,
April 24, 2012.
Three players to be nominated for the trophy were Ottawa Senators captain, Daniel Alfredsson, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul and Montreal Canadiens’ Max Pacioretty.
All three nominees have made comebacks in the game and definitely showed dedication and while it may not have made a difference on all teams in terms of getting into the postseason, the significance certainly showed amongst players and their confidence levels.
Daniel Alfredsson made a return from missing a good chunk of the 2010-2011 regular season due to a near career ending back surgery to play nearly all games the following year and led his team to the postseason in a major way.
Ottawa Senators are currently on their way to deciding the 20102 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Quarterfinal series with top Eastern Conference team, New York Rangers, in Game 7.
"It feels really good obviously to come back and play as well as I think I could. After a frustrating year, obviously the doctors did a great job with my surgery," said Alfredsson in Ottawa on Tuesday. "I feel like it's getting much better this year, I'm
having more fun playing. ... It's been a great year and a great group to be a part of. A lot of fun."
Lupul on the other hand, also returning to full form this year as he played in 66 games, the most in over four seasons for the player and definitely had a breakthrough with 67 points (25 goals, 42 assists).
He is currently in Australia on summer vacation as Toronto failed to make the postseason.
Montreal Canadiens’ Max Pacioretty was hit hard during the last year’s quarterfinal series with Boston Bruins as captain Zdeno Chara smashed him into the sideboards, resulting in a fractured neck vertebrae.
"Its an honor to be nominated for the Masterton trophy... I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way," Pacioretty said on Twitter.
The result will be announced after the postseason comes to a close.
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