Chris Kreider Named Rangers Nominee For Bill Masterton Trophy

The New York PHWA chapter has named Chris Kreider the New York Rangers’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy.

The New York Chapter of the PHWA announced today that #NYR forward Chris Kreider has been selected as the team’s nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” pic.twitter.com/0r2HW9AP3a

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 27, 2018

The Bill Masterton Trophy is awarded annually to the player who shows perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Last year Dan Girardi was the Rangers’ nominee, and the previous year Mats Zuccarello was a finalist for the award after returning to top form, 61 points in 81 games, after suffering a fractured skull and temporarily losing the ability to speak after taking a puck to the head in the 2014-15 playoffs.

Dominic Moore is the last Ranger to receive the award as he was named the 2013-14 recipient in his comeback season. Moore missed the entire 2012-13 campaign following the death of his wife Katie who battled a rare form of liver cancer. He then established the Katie Moore Foundation which is dedicated to helping patients and families with rare cancers through research, advocacy and community.

Every team’s PHWA chapter nominates a player, and this year’s Ranger nominee makes a ton of sense given the fact that Kreider was sidelined for 24 games due to blood clots. Since returning to the lineup Kreider has four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in 15 games played.