(New York) Defenseman Oliver Kylington, of the Calgary Flames, as well as goaltenders Frederik Andersen and Connor Ingram, respectively of the Carolina Hurricanes and the Arizona Coyotes, are the three finalists for the Bill Memorial Trophy. Masterton.
The National Hockey League made the announcement in a press release on Thursday.
Since 1968, this trophy has been awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
Local chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) submitted nominations for the Masterton Trophy at the end of the regular season and the three players with the most votes were named finalists.
Kylington returned to the Flames’ lineup at the end of January after more than a year and a half away due to mental health issues.
Claimed in the second round by the Flames in 2015, Kylington admitted, upon his return to play, that he had feared not being able to resume his career. However, he has once again become an essential element of the Flames’ defensive brigade to the point of posting an average usage per game of 17:15 in 33 games.
After starting the season with four wins in five games, Andersen, an 11-year NHL veteran, was informed he had a blood clotting problem. Between November 4 and March 7, he missed 49 games.
PHOTO FRANK FRANKLIN II, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Frederik Andersen (31)
After returning to the team, Andersen posted a 9-1-0 record, a 1.30 goals-against average, a .951 save percentage and three shutouts, helping the Hurricanes finish the season in third place overall in the NHL.
Ingram nearly retired due to undiagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and ongoing depression before seeking support through the NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance Program in 2021 , which he says changed his life and career.
PHOTO SCOT TUCKER, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Connor Ingram (39)
Claimed off waivers by the Coyotes in October 2022, Ingram appeared in 27 games with the club in 2022-23 and established himself as the Coyotes’ top goaltender in 2023-24.
In 50 outings in 2023-24, Ingram had a 23-21-3 record, a 2.91 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and a tied NHL-high six shutouts. with three other guards.
The trophy is named in honor of the late Bill Masterton, a former Minnesota North Stars player who displayed a high level of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey and who died on January 15, 1968.
The league will unveil on Friday the identity of the finalists for the Jack Adams Trophy, awarded to the head coach par excellence in the NHL.