NHL Announces 2022-23 Bill Masterton Trophy Finalists

The Bill Masterton award honors a player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."

The award is named after Bill Masteron, a former Minnesota North Stars player who died following an injury sustained in a game during the 1967-68 season.

This year's finalists for the award are Arizona Coyotes' Clayton Keller, Pittsburgh Penguins' Kris Letang, and Chicago Blackhawk's Alex Stalock.

The 24-year-old Keller is fresh off his best NHL season to date, racking up 37 goals and 49 assists, all career highs. On March 30, 2022, Keller fractured his femur following an awkward crash into the boards during a game and, after a lengthy summer of rehab and uncertainty regarding his playing future, he returned and put up career numbers.

Kris Letang suffered a stroke in November of this season, the second time the veteran defenseman has suffered one. The 36-year-old suffered his first stroke in 2014. However, after just two weeks, Letang returned this season.

Alex Stalock was diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, in November 2020. The 31-year-old did not appear in a game in 2020-21 and was able to play just one game in 2021-22. This past season, in his first year with Chicago, he recorded a .908 save percentage and a 9-15-2 record.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports