Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Awarded for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Each year, the National Hockey League presents the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy to the player who most clearly shows perseverance, sportsmanship, and a deep commitment to hockey. The award honors Bill Masterton, the only NHL player whose death was directly caused by an on-ice injury. After every team puts forward one candidate, the Professional Hockey Writers' Association votes to decide the winner. The trophy frequently goes to someone who has recovered from a serious illness or injury, whether career-threatening or life-threatening.
The trophy was created in memory of Bill Masterton, a Minnesota North Stars player who died on January 15, 1968, from an injury he got during a game. During his own career, Masterton strongly displayed the very qualities the award now recognizes: perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. He was a standout college player at Denver University and briefly played within the Montreal Canadiens system before leaving professional hockey to work as an engineer at Honeywell in Minneapolis. In his spare time, he played senior amateur hockey, including for the U.S. national team. There, scouts from the expansion North Stars noticed him, and he became the club’s first signed player. The trophy was first awarded after the 1967–68 regular season. Through the end of the 2018–19 NHL season, the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens have each produced five winners; the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers have each had four; and the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Islanders have each had three. Only 18 times since the award began in the 1960s has it gone to a player from a Western Conference team.
Quick Facts
- Sport
- Ice hockey
- Givenfor
- National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.
- First
- 1967–68 NHL season
- Firstwinner
- Claude Provost
- Mostrecent
- Sean Monahan / Columbus Blue Jackets
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The trophy is named in honor of the late Bill Masterton, a Minnesota North Stars player who died on January 15, 1968, after sustaining an injury during a hockey game. During his playing career, Masterton exhibited 'to a high degree the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey'. A US college standout at Denver University, Masterton had briefly played in the Montreal Canadiens organization before giving up his professional dreams and taking a job as an engineer at Honeywell in Minneapolis. During his spare time, he played senior amateur hockey including for the US national team, where he was scouted by the expansion North Stars and became the club's first contracted player.
It was first awarded following the 1967–68 regular season. As of the end of the 2018–19 NHL season, players for the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens have won the trophy five times; players for the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers have won the trophy four times; and players for the Los Angeles Kings, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders have won the trophy three times. Players on Western Conference teams have won the award only 18 times since the award was first given in the 1960s.
Reader's Guide
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy holds a unique place in NHL awards as the only one named for a player who died from an in-game injury. Its significance lies in honoring qualities beyond on-ice performance: perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication. The award is often given to players who have overcome severe illness or injury, reflecting Masterton's own story of returning to hockey after leaving the professional ranks. The selection process involves each team nominating one player, with the winner chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The trophy's legacy is shaped by the teams whose players have won most frequently: the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens lead with five wins each, followed by the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers with four, and the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Islanders with three. Notably, Western Conference teams have won only 18 times since the award's inception, indicating a historical imbalance in recognition. The award serves as a lasting tribute to Masterton's character and the values he represented.
Did You Know?
- Bill Masterton is the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game.
- Masterton played college hockey at Denver University and later worked as an engineer at Honeywell in Minneapolis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy?
It is an annual NHL honor given to the player who best embodies perseverance, sportsmanship, and a deep dedication to hockey. In practice, it often goes to someone who has fought through a serious illness or a career- or life-threatening injury.
Who was Bill Masterton, and why is the trophy named after him?
Bill Masterton was an NHL player who died as a direct result of an injury sustained on the ice, making him the only player in league history to meet that fate. The trophy was established in his memory to celebrate the grit and commitment he represented.
How is the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner selected?
Every NHL team submits a single nominee, and the Professional Hockey Writers' Association then votes to pick the final recipient.
When was the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy first presented?
The award debuted after the 1967–68 regular season and has been handed out every year since.
Which teams have the most Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy wins?
The New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens are tied for the most with five wins each, while the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers follow with four apiece.
More in NHL Trophies and Awards 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced