CBJ forward Nathan Gerbe nominated for Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

The Columbus chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association has nominated Blue Jackets forward Nathan Gerbe for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the club announced today. The award is given annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. He was previously recognized by the Carolina PHWA as the Carolina Hurricanes' nominee in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Gerbe, 32, recorded four goals and six assists for 10 points with 22 penalty minutes and 46 hits, while averaging 13:45 of ice time in 30 games with Columbus in 2019-20. This season saw him appear in his first NHL games since a two-game stint with Columbus in 2017-18 and marked his first significant playing time in the league since 2015-16 when he appeared in 47 games with Carolina. He scored his first goal as a Blue Jacket in his season debut on December 23 at the NY Islanders, which was his first NHL goal since Mar. 10, 2016 at Boston while with the Hurricanes. He also skated in his 400th career NHL game on December 31 vs. Florida.

The Oxford, Michigan native has posted 4-6-10 and 22 penalty minutes in 32 outings with the Blue Jackets since making his franchise debut on Feb. 22, 2018 at Philadelphia. Selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round, 142nd overall, at the 2005 NHL Draft, he has posted 62-86-148 and 194 penalty minutes in 426 career NHL contests over 10 NHL campaigns with the Blue Jackets, Hurricanes and Sabres from 2008-20.

The 5-4, 169-pound forward added 8-17-25 and 22 penalty minutes in 30 appearances with the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters in 2019-20. Serving as the team's captain, he finished third-T in assists and was selected to participate in the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic. He has totaled 63-106-169 and 187 penalty minutes in 196 career AHL games with the Monsters and Portland Pirates from 2008-20.

The winner of the Masterton Trophy is selected by a poll of the 31 chapters of the PHWA at the conclusion of the regular season. The trophy was first presented by the NHL writers in 1968 in honor of the late Bill Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars who exhibited the qualities for which the trophy embodies, and who died on Jan. 15, 1968. Last year's winner was Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils. Previous Blue Jackets nominees for the award include: Kevin Dineen (2000-01 and 2001-02, finalist both years), Luke Richardson (2002-03), Manny Malhotra (2003-04), Duvie Westcott (2005-06), Fredrik Norrena (2006-07), Pascal Leclaire (2007-08), Raffi Torres (2008-09), Jared Boll (2009-10), Derek MacKenzie (2010-11), Curtis Sanford (2011-12), Vinny Prospal (2012-13), Nick Foligno (2013-14, 2014-15 and finalist in 2018-19), Fedor Tyutin (2015-16), Sergei Bobrovsky (2016-17) and Zach Werenski (2017-18).

For more on Nathan Gerbe, read the latest Q&A piece by Jackets Insider Jeff Svoboda **HERE**.