The votes are in, and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has been awarded the 2022 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey,” as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association.
It’s hard to argue with the result, as Price overcame incredible setbacks both on and off the ice this season.
After undergoing offseason knee surgery, Price missed the first 74 games of the regular season, enduring a number of setbacks in the process that at times threatened to end his career before miraculously working his way back into playing form and returning to the Canadiens lineup for five games to close out the year, earning his first win in the final game versus the President’s Trophy-winning Florida Panthers.
Price was also remarkably open about his struggles off of the ice as he entered the NHL’s player assistance program in December, preaching the importance of mental health outside of the game of hockey for those who play it.
New York’s Zdeno Chara and Philadelphia’s Kevin Hayes were the two finalists who finished as runner’s up behind Price for the Masterton honors.