Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was nominated for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy. The award is presented each year to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. One player from each team is nominated, and the winner is selected by the thirty chapeters of the Pro Hockey Writers Association.
The Masterson Trophy was named in honor of former Minnesota North Stars player Bill Masterson, the only player to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game.
Bobrovsky had a down season last year, missing 35 games with various injuries and posting the first losing season of his career, going 15-19-1 as the Blue Jackets finished 27th in the league.