With NHL Awards season near, our writers make a case for each of Sidney Crosby, Josh Harding, and Adam McQuaid as a potential winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. Which player is most deserving of the hardware?
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is given to the NHLer “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey,” and no player displays more dedication to the game than Sidney Crosby.
Dedication to his on-ice performance is one thing – Crosby refines his craft and practises as hard anyone in the league – but what’s often overlooked with Crosby is how much he does for hockey off the ice. He’s essentially the face of an entire sport, and the work he does promoting the NHL, be it in globally seen commercials or otherwise, is crucial for the marketing aspect of the NHL.
On the ice this season Crosby displayed more than simply raw talent and determination; he showed resolve and perseverance after overcoming a serious injury.
The 25-year-old has had a frustrating last few seasons – playing only 63 games in the previous two seasons combined with concussion symptoms – and this year suffered a badly broken jaw that caused him to miss the final 12 games of the year. That didn’t stop him from excelling.
Despite only playing 36 games during the lockout-shortened campaign, Crosby nearly held on to lead the league in scoring, registering a ridiculous 56 points in 36 games and earning Hart and Ted Lindsay award nominations. – Mike Johnston
Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild
Josh Harding will win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy due to the fact that his biggest battle comes off the ice, not on it.
The Minnesota Wild goaltender is playing hockey at a professional level while dealing with multiple sclerosis – an unpredictable disease that affects vision, hearing, memory, balance and mobility.
Just soak up that first bit for a second and imagine what life would be like coping with MS on a day-to-day basis.
One could logically conclude that playing in the NHL would be one of the last things going through the mind of an individual battling with the complex inflammatory illness. Yet Harding is defying all logic, and therefore should take home the award handed out to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game.
Starting in the playoffs shouldn’t be atop any ones agenda when dealing with an incurable ailment. The Wild netminder didn’t even have time to flinch when he was thrown into the fire against the Chicago Blackhawks in the first-round after starting goalie Niklas Backstrom went down with an injury.
Harding’s impressive effort caught the eye of numerous players, including Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp.
“You have to tip your hat to what Josh is going through on their side,” Sharp told the Toronto Sun. “It’s pretty amazing that he’s able to play at the level he does, it’s an inspiration for a lot of people.” – Tom Ruminski
Adam McQuaid, Boston Bruins
Pitted against the inspirational story of Josh Harding and the NHL’s golden child in Sidney Crosby, it’s unlikely Adam McQuaid will receive much consideration for the Masterton Trophy when the final votes are tallied.
But that doesn’t mean he isn’t deserving.
The rugged Boston Bruins defenceman was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome in September, a season-threatening and potentially fatal condition that caused blood clots to form in his body – the same condition that caused St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter to miss most of the 2012 season and has left him contemplating retirement.
After undergoing two emergency surgeries to remove the blood clots, McQuaid was deemed unfit to continue his off-season regimen and it seemed unlikely he would suit up for the Bruins in 2013.
Despite the grim outlook, McQuaid rose up in the face of adversity and worked his way back to full health in time for the Bruins’ season opener in January.
The 26-year-old P.E.I. native went on to solidify himself as a dependable blue-liner for the Bruins, but more importantly a player who epitomized the qualities of perseverance and dedication to hockey. – Mackenzie Liddell
This was McQuaid fighting Bobby Robins in exhibition game. Blood clot took a lot out of him. Has come back strong. youtube.com/watch?v=UmpT_T…
— Dan Cagen (@DanCagen) May 14, 2013
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