An annual award under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers ’ Association to “the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” Winner selected by a poll among the 30 chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season. A $2,500 grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, MN, in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner.
History: The trophy was presented by the NHL Writers’ Association in 1968 to commemorate the late Bill Masterton, a player with the Minnesota North Stars, who exhibited to a high degree the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey, and who died January 15, 1968.
Florida Panthers right winger Jaromir Jagr is the recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The 44-year-old Jagr, playing in his 22nd NHL season, inspired his team to franchise records for wins (47) and points (103) while capturing their second division title. Jagr led the Panthers in scoring with 27 goals and 39 assists for 66 points, becoming the oldest player in NHL history to surpass the 60-point plateau. His work ethic and off-ice mentorship, particularly with linemates Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, whose combined age is younger than Jagr, was considered as valuable as his on-ice production.
A grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minn., in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner. The trophy was presented by the NHL Writers Association in 1968 to commemorate the late William Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars, who exhibited, to a high degree, the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Masterton died on Jan. 15, 1968, after an injury sustained during a hockey game.