Kraken Goalie Joey Daccord Nominated For NHL's Masterton Award

"Daccord Persevered As A Minor-Leaguer Until Age 27"

Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord's long road to a permanent NHL job has been recognized by local sportswriters with an award nomination.

Members of the Pro Hockey Writers' Association in each NHL city  nominate and vote each year for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. Daccord is Seattle's nominee.

(I'm a member of the Seattle PHWA chapter)

From a PHWA email: "This award (is) named after the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of an on-ice injury." Tragedy struck Masterton while playing center for the expansion Minnesota North Stars against the Oakland Seals on Jan. 13, 1968.

A clean collision with two Seals knocked Masterton's helmetless head onto the ice. He lost consciousness and, taken off life support, died two days later.

The award, according to the PHWA, is "handed out to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game."

The 2024 Masterton field will be narrowed to three finalists during this year's playoffs, with the winner announced at the NHL Awards in late June.

Here's Daccord's nomination bio, from Seattle PHWA chair Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times:

"Daccord persevered as a minor leaguer until age 27 before becoming an NHL rookie and MVP of the NHL Winter Classic. He is arguably MVP of the Seattle Kraken, single handedly keeping them in playoff contention after taking over as No. 1 goaltender for injured Philipp Grubauer in December. 

"According to Evolving Hockey, in 23 starts from Dec 10 through the Feb. 15 end of a Kraken road trip and win over Boston, Daccord saved nearly 24 more goals than expected based on shot quality. That two-month total alone would have been eighth highest by any NHL goalie over the entirety of last season. He’s an avid hockey history buff who promotes the game."