Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang has won the Bill Masterton Trophy as the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. The long-time Penguins rearguard was awarded the trophy over Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes and Alex Stalock of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Letang suffered through a tumultuous season as he suffered a stroke in late November 2022 and in an incredible feat he returned to the Penguins lineup just 12 days later, missing a total of five games. Unfortunately, after just eight games Letang suffered a lower-body injury that forced him out of the lineup once again. When he returned to the Penguins lineup, he and the club were preparing for the Winter Classic when his father sadly passed away.
Letang returned to the club and posted a four-point game including an overtime winner in a game that just felt like a storybook. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts the Penguins fell short of the playoffs. However, Letang was still one of the Penguins best defensemen despite being 36 years old and being forced through the gauntlet. Letang finished the year with 12 goals and 29 assists in just 64 games.
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