The PHWA has named Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo as their nominee for the 2024 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
Jack Eichel was the nominee in 2022.
Last year it was journeyman Phil Kessel.
Now, it’s Alex Pietrangelo’s turn — and he couldn’t be more deserving.
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is given ‘to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.’
The Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) nominates 32 players for the award every year — one for each team.
Three of those nominees are named finalists, and the winner is announced at the NHL Awards.
Here’s what the Las Vegas chapter of the PHWA had to say about Pietrangelo:
“Pietrangelo has remained a constant professional and veteran presence for the Golden Knights throughout his tenure in Vegas, though he wasn’t for a time last season. He took a leave of absence to care for his sick 5-year-old daughter Evelyn, returning only once she returned to health. There were even points where he contemplated retirement to be with his family, but he eventually returned to help Vegas to its first Stanley Cup championship, and Pietrangelo’s second, then played in his 1,000th NHL game this season”.
Pietrangelo is in his 16th season as a pro and fourth season with the Vegas Golden Knights. He has four goals and 29 assists in 64 games played this year, but has missed eight of the past 10 games.
No Golden Knights player has ever won the award, but Alex Pietrangelo could be the first.
He certainly deserves it.
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