Max Pacioretty has won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy as the NHL player who player best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Pacioretty was clearly humbled in his acceptance speech as he thanked the Montreal Canadiens organization, his teammates, doctors and fans for their support.
Pacioretty was the Canadiens’ best forward this season, with a career high 33 goals and 32 assists for a team high 65 points. This less than less than a year after seeing his career put in jeopardy after a big hit from Boston’s Zdeno Chara on March 8, 2011. Pacioretty suffered a fracture to the 4th cervical vertebra and a severe concussion.
Pacioretty beat out the Ottawa Senators Daniel Alfredsson and the Maple Leafs Joffrey Lupul at Wednesday’s NHL Awards in Las Vegas.
This is the fifth Canadiens player to win the Masterton. The late Claude Provost won the inaugural award in 1968. Henri Richard (1974), Serge Savard (1979) and Saku Koivu (2002) are the others.
The presentation and Pacioretty’s acceptance, and the list of the other winners, after the jump.
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) – Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) – Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player, as voted by NHL players) – Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jack Adams Award (top coach) – Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues
Calder Memorial Trophy (top rookie) – Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
James Norris Memorial Trophy (top defenseman) – Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship and ability) – Brian Campbell, Florida Panthers
Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward) – Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (perseverance and dedication) – Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens
William M. Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed) – Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis Blues
Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (most goals) – Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
Art Ross Trophy (most points) – Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
General Manager of the Year – Doug Armstrong, St. Louis Blues
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (humanitarian contributions to community) – Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators
NHL Foundation Player Award (commitment, perseverance and teamwork) – Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators
Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award – Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes
2011-2012 NHL FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM
G Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers
D Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
D Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
C Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
RW James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins
LW Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils
2011-2012 NHL SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
G Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
D Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
D Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues
C Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
RW Marian Gaborik, Rangers
LW Ray Whitney, Phoenix Coyotes
