(New York) Arizona Coyotes winger Clayton Keller, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kristopher Letang and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock are finalists for the 2022-23 Bill Masterton Trophy.
The honor is awarded annually to the player who “demonstrates the best qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey”.
Keller suffered a broken femur in a game against the San Jose Sharks on March 30, 2022, and had to spend six months of rehabilitation to be ready for what ultimately became his career-best season in 2022-23. .
He has played in all of his team’s games this season, recording career highs with 37 goals, 49 assists and 86 points. He also represented the Coyotes in the All-Star Game.
Letang went through a second stroke and the death of his father within the same four weeks of the season.
He remained a key part of the Penguins during the season, his 17e with the club, ranking 10e among NHL skaters for ice time per game (24:51). Letang had 41 points in 64 games.
In 2014-15, Letang was a runner-up for the trophy, when then-Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk won the honor.
At 35, Stalock had played just one NHL game in the previous two seasons, having been diagnosed with myocarditis after testing positive for COVID-19 in 2019-20.
The winner will be announced June 26 at the 2023 Awards Ceremony in Nashville.