Price returned to play on April 15 against the New York Islanders after missing the first 74 games of the year due to offseason knee surgery. The Anahim Lake, BC native also entered the NHL's Player Assistance Program on October 7, 2021, and then joined the team in November.
The 34-year-old netminder played five games in 2021-22 with the Canadiens, picking up his first win in the season finale against the Florida Panthers. Price hadn't played since Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 7, 2021.
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected by a poll among the 32 chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season. The trophy commemorates the late Bill Masterton, a player with the Minnesota North Stars, who lost his life following an NHL game on January 15, 1968.
Five Canadiens players have been awarded the Masterton Trophy since its inception: Max Pacioretty (2011-12), Saku Koivu (2001-02), Serge Savard (1978-79), Henri Richard (1973-74), and Claude Provost (1967-68), who was the inaugural recipient of the award.
