The full list of nominees for the 2015 Bill Masterton Memorial Award was released Friday and it is diverse. It includes a mix of skaters and goalies, veterans and youngsters and players that overcame odds both on and off the ice.
The annual award is given to the NHLer “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” Nominees were determined by the various chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA).
New York Rangers forward Dominic Moore was named last year’s winner after returning to the game following the death of his wife.
For a detailed rundown of the nominees visit the PHWA website.
Here is the full list of 2015 nominees:
Andrew Cogliano
The solid two-way winger has never missed a game in his NHL career. He’s the NHL’s current ironman.
Shane Doan
Doan overcame a severe bacterial infection called Rocky Mountain spotted fever last season and has been a solid leader for the Coyotes this year, playing all but two games.
Patrice Bergeron
The two-time Olympic gold medallist and two-time Selke Trophy winner leads his team on and off the ice. He’s involved in numerous charitable endeavours in the Boston area.
Mike Weber
The defenceman has been a mentor to his younger teammates in a difficult season for the Sabres.
Kris Russell
Being the NHL’s shot-blocking leader symbolizes putting the team ahead of your own well-being.
Nathan Gerbe
At five-foot-five, 178 pounds, the pint-sized forward Nathan Gerbe doesn’t let his diminutive stature impede his success.
Scott Darling
In a year full of great goaltending stories, Darling’s is one of the best. Solid support for Corey Crawford.
Alex Tanguay
Who would have thought the veteran winger would have a season like this? He only played 16 games last season due to various injuries and hip surgery.
Nick Foligno
Set career highs in all offensive categories, while dealing with health scares involving his infant daughter.
Patrick Eaves
The winger only played five games last season and battled back from a number of injuries.
Pavel Datsyuk
Age might be slowly catching up to him, but it’s hard to tell when you watch the future Hall of Famer play.
Matt Hendricks
He gets involved in the dirty areas of the ice, something not all players are willing to do.
Tomas Kopecky
The Slovakian has charged back from a severe concussion he suffered at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Robyn Regehr
The veteran blueliner stepped up for the Kings when Slava Voynov was suspended indefinitely.
Devan Dubnyk
Since being acquired by the Wild on Jan. 15, he has been a machine and is the main reason the Wild are a playoff threat.
Andrei Markov
Multiple knee surgeries a few years back weren’t enough to derail this Russian’s career.
Pekka Rinne
Predators GM David Poile summed it up nicely in a press release: “Pekka Rinne is synonymous with us being successful. The last two years, with Rinne not being at 100 percent, we didn’t make the playoffs either time. This year, he comes back, he’s the ‘old Pekka’ if you will, and now our team is not only back in the playoffs but one of the best teams in the NHL.”
Jordin Tootoo
The aggressive forward has overcome alcoholism, fought his way through the minor leagues to get back to the NHL and inspired the masses.
Lubomir Visnovsky
He missed most of last season with concussion symptoms, but the 38-year-old made a comeback.
Marc Staal
A serious eye injury two years ago threatened his career, but he is back playing for the best blue-line in hockey.
Andrew Hammond
Hamburgers. Franchise records. NHL records. Keeping your team in the playoff hunt. More hamburgers.
Nick Schultz
Many thought the game had passed him by, but the 32-year-old has been a bright spot on the Flyers.
Kris Letang
Is there a player in the NHL that has gone through more injuries and health scares in recent years than Kris Letang?
Scott Hannan
Reached the 1,000-game milestone this season and is still a defensive presence for the Sharks.
Brian Elliott
Another quality season from Elliott has proven losing Ryan Miller to free agency wasn’t that big a deal.
Tyler Johnson
Led the Lightning in scoring for much of the season and set career highs in goals and assists. Not bad for an undrafted free agent.
Stephane Robidas
The 37-year-old returned after breaking his right leg on two separate occasions last season.
Henrik Sedin
The Canucks captain had a solid season following a disappointing 2013-14 campaign.
Eric Fehr
Wrote a children’s anti-bullying book last summer and visits elementary schools to spread the message that it’s important to be kind to one another.
Ondrej Pavelec
The Kladno, Czech Republic native was perhaps the worst starting goalie in the NHL last season, but he’s had a career year in terms of save percentage and goals-against average.
