Masterton nominees announced
Left wing Jason Blake of the Toronto Maple Leafs, defenseman Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings and right wing Fernando Pisani of the Edmonton Oilers are the finalists for the 2008 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the Professional Hockey Writers' Association (PHWA) announced today.No surprises here. I expect Blake or Pisani to win this year.
The award, under the trusteeship of the PHWA, is presented annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.>> league release
And if you haven't yet seen it, stop by Pisani's blog for his own account of how he battled back from ulcerative colitis this season. It's a very serious and difficult disease, and it's actually quite remarkable he was able to return to play so fast.
.
Labels: Awards, Chelios, Jason Blake, Pisani
by James Mirtle @ 11:55 AM
Trackbacks
| Permalink |
6 comments
6 Comments:
"...who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."
Jason Blake?!?!? I guess 2 out of 3 isn't too bad, but his gutless spear on Crosby last season doesn't exactly fit the "sportsmanship" part.
Talk about a backhanded complement to Chelios. Pisani had debilitating colitis, Blake is a cancer survivor, and Chelios......
.... is just old.
Dedication:
--------------
Pisani, check.
Blake, check.
Chelios, check.
Perseverance:
-----------------
Pisani, check.
Blake, check.
Chelios, check.
Sportsmanship:
----------------
Pisani, check.
James
Is Chelios' efforts with the NHLPA
mess one of the reasons for his nomination? I not a fan of his, but I do admire what he's done there.
I'm pulling for Pisani though.
Does the Masterton have to be an injury award? Why not recognize guys like Trevor Linden, Martin St Louis, Tim Thomas and Patrick O'Sullivan as well? It would've been a nice gesture to have awarded Linden this year's Masterton but apparently getting cancer means you're far more dedicated to hockey.
As a medical student (admitely an Oiler fan though), I would have to give this to Pisani over Blake. CML would be an anxiety-inducing diagnosis because of the word "leukemia," but in reality it is a very treatable disease and Jason Blake didn't miss a single game. Severe UC, however, is a terrible disease for an athlete to overcome, and in Pisani's case it rendered him weaker than even most fans. That he came back and made a significant contribution is a testament to perservence far more so than the stories of Blake or Chelios (who is seemingly nominated just because he's old).
Post a Comment
<< Home