On Friday morning, the PHWA announced that Viktor Arvidsson was the Los Angeles Kings' nominee for the Bill Masterson Trophy. 

The Masterson Trophy is handed out to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. 

Anyone who's tracked Arvidsson's career the last few seasons knows he exemplifies those qualities. 

Arvidsson had to battle his second back surgery in as many years to return this season, missing the entire first half of the season. 

Then, almost immediately after returning, Arvidsson suffered an unrelated injury and was out once again. 

He is back in the lineup now and making a big impact despite those injuries. 

The Kings are an undeniably better team with Arvidsson healthy and their record reflects that. 

That all covers the perseverance aspect of the award, but Arvidsson also hits the dedication to the sport aspect hard. 

To use a cliche, Arvidsson really is a student of the game.

If you focus on him on the bench or at practice, he's constantly trying to improve his game and learn. 

Always the first go grab an iPad on the bench and go over his last shift, or try and figure out ways to create offense with his linemates, Arvidsson's commitment is almost unparalleled. 

Whether he wins the award or not, Arvidsson is a worthy nominee and deserves a lot of credit for what he's gone through and how he's powered through it.