Henrik Lundqvist the New York Rangers’ Masterton Trophy nominee

Five New York Rangers have won the award, Henrik Lundqvist hopes to be the sixth

The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association named the nominees for the 2020 Bill Masterton Trophy.  Henrik Lundqvist is the New York Chapter’s pick from the New York Rangers this year.  The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded  “to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”  It is an award that doesn’t require outstanding statistics, but reflects on the player himself.

This is the first time that Lundqvist has been nominated for the award that has been won five times by New York Rangers players, tied with the Montreal Canadiens for most by any team.  Here are the five Blueshirts who won the award:

Jean Ratelle 1970-71
Rod Gilbert  1975-76
Anders Hedberg 1984-85
Adam Graves  2000-01
Dominic Moore 2013-14

Last year Robin Lehner of the Islanders won the award after an outstanding comeback season after he revealed his battles with alcoholism and bi-polar disorder.

While many of the award winners have had to deal with personal challenges including tragedy or illness, the Trophy has also been given to players who have shown perseverance and dedication and lengthy contributions to hockey. As Lundqvist enters the twilight of his career, you can be sure he will be a candidate for many such tributes.

Lundqvist was a finalist for the King Clancy Trophy last season for his work with the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation.  The award was won by Jason Zucker of the Minnesota Wild.

Prior Ranger nominees for the Masterton Trophy include Brendan Smith (2019), Chris Kreider (2018), Dan Girardi (2017), Mats Zuccarello (2016) and Marc Staal (2015).

The award is named for Bill Masterton of the Minnesota North Stars, who died in 1968 from injuries sustained in a game.