Jun 26, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang poses with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy after it was awarded to him during the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

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Bill Masterton Trophy 2025: Everything You Need to Know & Nominees From Each NHL Team

Discover the meaning of the Bill Masterton Trophy and explore the nominees from each NHL team for 2025.

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is one of the most meaningful awards in the NHL. Unlike awards given purely for on-ice performance, the Masterton Trophy honors perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. It is named after Bill Masterton, a former Minnesota North Stars player who tragically passed away in 1968 following an in-game injury. The award serves as a tribute to players who have overcome obstacles and continue to inspire through their commitment to the sport.

The award honors players who never give up, no matter what challenges they face. Every season, it recognizes those who keep pushing forward—whether they’ve fought through injuries, personal struggles, or tough times in their careers. It’s more than just a trophy; it’s a celebration of the dedication and passion that make hockey more than just a game.

Our Flower 🌸 💚

Today we are excited to announce Marc-André Fleury as the #mnwild's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy!!

Read more » https://t.co/Tnels9FLTB pic.twitter.com/rMJglqO9A4
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 9, 2025

Selection Process and Criteria

Each of the 32 NHL teams nominates one player for the award. The nominees are often players who have battled through severe injuries, personal hardships, or career setbacks and have returned to contribute to their team. The Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) votes on the final winner, which is announced at the NHL Awards ceremony in June.

Joonas Korpisalo has been named the #NHLBruins nominee for the 2025 Masterton Trophy, which is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Full details ➡️ https://t.co/6kjDCVaotP pic.twitter.com/eMCtNQ9ToY
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 9, 2025

Past Notable Winners

Many inspiring players have received the Bill Masterton Trophy, including:

Mario Lemieux (1993) – Overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma and returned to elite performance.
Dominik Hasek (1997) – Battled injuries but remained a dominant force in the NHL.
Saku Koivu (2002) – Successfully fought non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and returned to play.
Phil Kessel (2007) – Overcame cancer and returned to the NHL.
Max Pacioretty (2012) – Came back from a near career-ending neck injury.
Craig Anderson (2017) – Played while supporting his wife through cancer treatment.
Robin Lehner (2019) – Opened up about his battle with mental health and addiction.

KIRKY!

We're proud to announce Justin Kirkland has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the #yyc chapter of the PHWA!

The award goes to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

📄: https://t.co/ucRGns8HHD pic.twitter.com/qTFISzjeGp
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) April 9, 2025

Josh Anderson is the Canadiens' candidate for the Bill Masterton Trophy for the 2024-25 season!

News release ↓ #GoHabsGo https://t.co/yZ6vtn3nSi
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 9, 2025

2025 Bill Masterton Trophy Nominees from Each Team

As of this season, every NHL franchise has put forward a player who embodies perseverance. While the full list will be revealed later in the season, expect to see names of players who have overcome major obstacles, whether personal, professional, or medical, to continue excelling in the game.

For the 2025 season, the following players have been nominated by their respective teams:

Team	Nominee
Boston Bruins	Joonas Korpisalo
Buffalo Sabres	Jason Zucker
Carolina Hurricanes	Jordan Staal
Calgary Flames	Justin Kirkland
Chicago Blackhawks	Patrick Maroon
Columbus Blue Jackets	Sean Monahan
Edmonton Oilers	Calvin Pickard
Minnesota Wild	Marc-Andre Fleury
Montreal Canadiens	Josh Anderson
Nashville Predators	Nick Blankenburg
New York Rangers	Jonny Brodzinski
New York Islanders	Mike Reilly
Ottawa Senators	David Perron
Philadelphia Flyers	Ivan Fedotov
Pittsburgh Penguins	Boko Imama
St. Louis Blues	Ryan Suter
Toronto Maple Leafs	John Tavares
Vegas Golden Knights	Tomas Hertl
Washington Capitals	Alex Ovechkin

Image Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Masterton Trophy 2025

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!