HabsWorld.net --
Carey Price had a very limited 2021-22 season but with everything he went through to get back, he was rewarded by the Professional Hockey Writers Association with the Bill Masterton Trophy.
The annual award is given to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Perseverance and dedication are words that are certainly accurate when it comes to Price’s comeback. After helping to lead Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final last summer, Price voluntarily entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program in October, returning to the team one month later. Unfortunately for him and the Habs, he then endured multiple setbacks as he continued to try to work his way back from knee surgery.
As a result, Price made his season debut on April 15th and only got into five games this season, posting a 1-4-0 record with a 3.63 GAA and a .878 SV%. There remain questions about whether or not he will be able to return this season and comments from GM Kent Hughes this week suggested that they really haven’t received any further information on Price’s potential availability since the netminder himself discussed the uncertainty of his playing future.
Price is the sixth player in franchise history to win the award. He joins 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.
Kevin Hayes and Zdeno Chara were the other two finalists. Of the 32 nominees, all but one received at least one vote; here are the full results which were released by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, who is the president of the PHWA:
