Crosby, Harding and McQuaid Named Masterton Trophy Finalists

[chilly666]

NEW YORK -- Center Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, goaltender Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild and defenseman Adam McQuaid of the Boston Bruins are the three finalists for the 2012-13 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey,” the National Hockey League announced today.

A $2,500 grant from the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minn., in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner.

The local chapters of the PHWA submitted nominations for the Masterton Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season and the top three vote-getters were designated as finalists. The winner will be announced during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, with more detail on format to be released at a later date.

Following are the finalists for the Masterton Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Crosby took to the ice in 2012-13 following two seasons in which he had missed extended time due to concussion symptoms. His offseason training and preparation paid off in a remarkable start to the season, as he recorded points in nine of his first 11 games. He continued his torrid scoring into March, helping the Penguins post 15 consecutive wins. Crosby led the League in points by a double-digit margin on March 30, when he was struck in the face with a puck. He underwent surgery that night for a broken jaw and significant dental work was required in later days while he worked toward a return to the Penguins lineup.

Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild

When faced with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, an incurable autoimmune disease, last fall, Harding made it clear that his career wasn’t over. In his first start of the season, Harding made 24 saves to shut out the Dallas Stars 1-0 on Jan. 20. On Feb. 12, after feeling ill from medications treating the disease, he was placed on Injured Reserve and missed 33 games as he continued treatment. However, the netminder continued his fight with the disease and, after a two-game conditioning assignment with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League, was activated from Injured Reserve on April 22 and returned to the Wild lineup.

Adam McQuaid, Boston Bruins

McQuaid suffered a season-threatening injury in September when his right arm grew increasingly swollen. He was diagnosed with a condition known as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome that was causing dangerous blood clots to form in his body. After undergoing two emergency surgeries to remove the blood clots, the defenseman was deemed unfit to continue his normal offseason workouts in order to give his body adequate time to heal. McQuaid’s dedication to his rehabilitation efforts later in the fall hastened his recovery and he skated alongside his teammates on opening night of the 2012-13 season against the New York Rangers at TD Garden.

[Chiefs for Life]

Why is Crosby nominated ?.. He missed a bunch of time this year also, An his injuries were career threatening not life threatening, Josh Harding and Adam McQuaid's sickness's could have and can end there life's...

Josh Harding playing with MS is to me one of the most incredible feats I have ever heard of in the NHL, An he will get my vote, McQuaid comes in a close second to me in this race...

[I_am_Belak_2]

Josh Harding. Although McQuaid's story is awesome as well, Harding has an incurable disease and has vowed to keep playing until his body gives in.

[acdcrocksno1]

If anyone other than Harding wins this it will be a travesty of justice

[63Impala]

Another Penguin nominated seriously, might as well call it the 2013 Penguin awards. I hope Harding wins it, that man is going through a disease that makes a concussion look like a damn scratch.

[Mike Tython]

Harding.

[Troyboi]

I have a lot of respect for all three of these players.

I do not understand why many people dislike Sidney Crosby? He is a great/polite person off of the ice.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Originally Posted by Troyboi

I have a lot of respect for all three of these players.

I do not understand why many people dislike Sidney Crosby? He is a great/polite person off of the ice.

Sports fans never like the over hyped superstars who get all the calls and get nominated for awards they don't deserve.

I don't see how that's so hard to understand.

[MattBurger]

The fact that McQuaid was able to play this season is pretty amazing, and some of the sh*t he took from people here for having an off-year was pretty low class. No matter what McQuaid does the remainder of his career, I'll also respect and appreciate the fact that he sacrificed a lot to try and contribute to the Bruins this season.

With that said though, Josh Harding deserves the Masterson. His story is the most incredible this season.

[cookie monster]

Even though I picked Harding, why are people questioning Crosby being nominated?

He missed the majority of the last two years with concussions, something that other players have had end careers, and dominated this season.

That's exactly what this award is for.

If not for the fact that MS is so destructive, I'd vote for Crosby.

[chilly666]

Originally Posted by Troyboi

I have a lot of respect for all three of these players.

I do not understand why many people dislike Sidney Crosby? He is a great/polite person off of the ice.

but that doesn't mean he should be up for every award possible...this is the 2nd one that he shouldn't even be nominated for.

[cowboy]

Its crosby and he doesn't deserve **** and that's the end or else your a ***** that doesn't know **** about hockey.

I've just summed up 80% of the arguments about Crosby. No need for anyone else to chime in I suppose

[Troyboi]

Originally Posted by BobNystromOwnsU

Sports fans never like the over hyped superstars who get all the calls and get nominated for awards they don't deserve.

I don't see how that's so hard to understand.

God damn. You are constantly bitching and complaining. You should be proud that your team made it to the playoffs, and did well against a number one seed.

There were bad calls that were made on both teams during the series. However, you are too narrow-minded to realize that.

I will admit, when Sidney Crosby first played in the NHL he was a bitch, but he has matured since then.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

Originally Posted by cookie monster

Even though I picked Harding, why are people questioning Crosby being nominated?

He missed the majority of the last two years with concussions, something that other players have had end careers, and dominated this season.

That's exactly what this award is for.

If not for the fact that MS is so destructive, I'd vote for Crosby.

Anytime you vote for anything, we know how bad that turns out. You and voting shouldn't go together.

[cookie monster]

Originally Posted by chilly666

but that doesn't mean he should be up for every award possible...this is the 2nd one that he shouldn't even be nominated for.

The award for "perseverance and dedication to hockey" doesn't apply to a guy who's missed most of the last two seasons to injuries, and comes back and plays at a high level?

Originally Posted by BobNystromOwnsU

Anytime you vote for anything, we know how bad that turns out. You and voting shouldn't go together.

Lol....but my guy won!