The NHL announced the three finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Thursday.
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen, Arizona Coyotes goalie Connor Ingram and Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington are the final three after the Professional Hockey Writers Association voted on nominees from each local chapter.
The Masterton Trophy is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Frederik Andersen, Connor Ingram and Oliver Kylington are the three finalists for the 2023-24 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.#NHLAwards: https://t.co/AWLhrQXheW pic.twitter.com/LeX0iBCkw2
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 2, 2024
Let’s take a closer look at each finalist.
Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
Andersen had a 4-1-0 start to the season when doctors informed him of a blood clotting issue in November, forcing him out of action indefinitely. Four months and 49 games later, the 34-year-old returned to action in March and didn’t miss a beat.
Andersen recorded a 9-1-0 record after returning, and his .951 save percentage and 1.30 goals-against average topped all goalies with at least five games played since March 7.
“It’s obviously been scary times, but I’m thankful for all the help I’ve gotten through the team and doctors around me, my family and stuff, teammates,” Andersen told the media in February when he rejoined the team for practice. “They’ve all been really supportive, and I appreciate the help.”
Connor Ingram, Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes claimed Ingram off waivers from the Nashville Predators in October 2022. That was after he nearly retired due to an undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) before receiving care from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program in 2021.
This season, Ingram became Arizona’s starting netminder, putting up a 23-21-3 record 2.91 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. His six shutouts were tied for first league-wide.
“Once you get away, get out of your own head, it makes it easier,” Ingram said in a Q&A with The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell in April. “I mean now, it’s just back to playing hockey, which is huge. That’s all you can really ask for, I guess, is just, ‘Clear mind, full heart, can’t lose.’ “
The 27-year-old also noticed an impact since sharing his story with others.
“You get the odd message of somebody saying, ‘Hey, this is what it took for me to get help,’ or you get a parent that says, ‘I showed my child this, and now, they want to talk to somebody, too.’ So, I mean, that’s all you can really ask for,” Ingram said.
Oliver Kylington, Calgary Flames
Kylington spent a year-and-a-half away from the Flames for mental health reasons before returning to the lineup in late January. He’s preferred not share the details of his absence but had said he wasn’t sure at times on whether he’d be able to resume his career.
The 26-year-old played 33 games since returning, recording three goals and eight points while averaging 17:14 per game.
“I don’t know if I’ve helped people, but I hope maybe that helps people to understand that when there’s certain moments in life, when there’s adversity, that it’s OK to be in it and not flee from it and not do stuff to think that it’s just gonna vanish,” Kylington told reporters in April. “I think understanding that it’s OK to be OK, and it’s OK to say, ‘It’s a problem.’ Or if it’s not a problem, it’s OK to not follow the norm.”
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News Summary:
- NHL Announces 2024 Masterton Trophy Finalists
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