If his future in goal seems uncertain, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price learned Friday night that he was the lucky winner of the Bill-Masterton Trophy.
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Price, who was in the running along with defenseman Zdeno Chara and forward Kevin Hayes, won the award given to a player who has shown perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of hockey.
The whole thing was announced just before Game 2 of the series between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“Thank you to all the supporters for their support”, launched number 31 in the language of Molière following receiving his prize.
In particular, he wanted to thank the organization of the Canadian, his teammates and his family for their support throughout the season.
“There will always be challenges that you will have to face in life, he philosophized. I believe it’s important to teach our children and loved ones how to overcome these obstacles, put things into perspective, and keep moving forward.”
The trophy is frequently given to a player who has overcome an injury or battled an illness. It can also underline the course of an athlete at the end of his career. At the end of the 2020-2021 season, Philadelphia Flyers forward Oskar Lindblom was honored following battling bone cancer.
“This is a very special award for me,” Price later said during a videoconference. I have enormous respect for the players who have won this trophy.”
Recall that Price, 34, returned to the game on April 15 following knee surgery during the offseason. The goalkeeper had also joined the National Hockey League’s player assistance program in October.
It was the second time in his career that he had missed the overwhelming majority of a campaign, having been sidelined for most of the 2015-2016 season.
“I find that this year was even more difficult [que 2015-2016] since I had already been there and the team was experiencing difficulties. It was more frustrating for me.”
Asked regarding his future with the Habs, Price maintained that he had no news regarding his state of health. He said he had a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his knee recently and was preparing for next season.
“I am preparing as if I were playing next season,” he said. I won’t know more until I have taken more steps in my preparation over the summer.
“I would like to know more. I will keep moving forward.”
Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) – 2022
Oskar Lindblom (Flyers de Philadelphie) – 2021
Bobby Ryan (Ottawa Senators) – 2020
Robin Lehner (Islanders de New York) – 2019
Brian Boyle (Devils du New Jersey) – 2018
Craig Anderson (Ottawa Senators) – 2017
Jaromir Jagr (Florida Panthers) – 2016
Devan Dubnyk (Wild du Minnesota) – 2015
Dominic Moore (Rangers de New York) – 2014
Josh Harding (Wild du Minnesota) – 2013
Max Pacioretty (Montreal Canadian) – 2012
Canadian winners over the years
Max Pacioretty 2011-2012
Saku Koivu 2001-2002
Serge Savard 1978-1979
Henri Richard 1973-1974
Claude Provost 1967-1968
