Ducks' Hiller up for Masterton Trophy

ANAHEIM, Calif. The Anaheim chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) announced today that goaltender Jonas Hiller has been named a nominee for the 2011-12 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The Masterton Trophy is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The winner will be selected at the end of the regular season by the full PHWAs 30 chapters. Jonas faced a lot of adversity over the past year and responded tremendously, said Ducks Executive Vice PresidentGeneral Manager Bob Murray. His performance this season makes him an ideal candidate for the 2011-12 Masterton Trophy. Hiller, 30 (21282), appeared in only three games following the All-Star break last season due to vertigo-related symptoms. He missed a total of 27 games during the second half of the 2010-11 season due to his injury and did not appear in Anaheims six-game Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Nashville Predators. In 2011-12, Hiller has rebounded to lead all NHL goaltenders in appearances (68) and starts (68). He is one start shy of setting a franchise record for most starts in a single season by an Anaheim goaltender and one game from matching Guy Heberts club mark for most appearances in a single season. In his 68 games this season, Hiller has posted a 28-27-11 record with a 2.54 goals-against average (GAA) and .912 save percentage (SV). Along with pacing NHL goaltenders in appearances and starts, Hiller also ranks first in time-on-ice (3,949:08) and fourth in saves (1,723) and shots against (1,890). Since Jan. 1 (min. 15 appearances), Hiller ranks tied for third in wins (19) and fifth in GAA (1.99). He started a club-record 32 consecutive games from Jan.12-Mar. 18, surpassing the previous mark of 23 set by Hebert and matched by J.S. Giguere. Hiller went 17-10-5 with three shutouts, a 1.92 GAA and .927 SV in those 32 consecutive starts, the longest streak in the NHL since San Joses Antti Niemi started 34 straight from Jan. 15-Apr. 4, 2011. Signed by Anaheim as a free agent on May 25, 2007, Hiller has appeared in 245 career NHL games with the Ducks, compiling a 117-88-35 record with a 2.52 GAA and .918 SV. He has also appeared in 13 career Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2009, going 7-6 with a 2.23 GAA and .943 SV. In that playoff year, Hiller helped lead Anaheim to a six-game series victory over the No. 1 ranked San Jose Sharks and a seven-game series against the Detroit Red Wings.