Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price is among the finalists for the Masterton Trophy, the NHL announced Monday.
The Bill Masterton Trophy is awarded annually by the NHL to the player who has demonstrated the most quality of perseverance and team spirit. The winner is selected by ballot from the 32 chapters of the NHL Columnists Association.
The other finalists are New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara and Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes.
Price returned to action on April 15 against the Islanders after missing the first 74 games of the season due to offseason knee surgery. The Anahim Lake, B.C. native also entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program on October 7, 2021 and subsequently joined the team in November.
The 34-year-old goaltender played five games in 2021-2022 with the Canadiens, collecting his first victory in the very last meeting of the season against the Florida Panthers. Price had not played since Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 7, 2021.
Over the years, five Habs players have won the Bill-Masterton Trophy; Max Pacioretty (2011-2012), Saku Koivu (2001-2002), Serge Savard (1978-1979), Henri Richard (1973-1974) and Claude Provost (1967-1968), who was the very first recipient.
For his part, Chara was the oldest player in the NHL this season, at 45 years old. The Islanders veteran set a record for most regular-season games played in that position when he played his 1,652nd game on Feb. 24.
For his part, Hayes has played despite numerous injuries this season. In particular, he had to undergo two abdominal surgeries during the offseason, and another in January. The Flyers forward also dedicated this season to his brother Jimmy, a former NHL player who died on August 23.