Seattle Kraken center Jaden Schwartz (17) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/da0dd38a-6635-4320-a5b6-de48d254a0d8.jpeg] Seattle Kraken center Jaden Schwartz (17) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images The Seattle Kraken's 2024-25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee is forward Jaden Schwartz. Awarded annually by the NHL, as voted upon solely by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, the award is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. A Stanley Cup winner with the St. Louis Blues [http://thn.com/stlouis], Schwartz is enjoying one of the better offensive seasons of his career, scoring 24 goals and 47 points in 78 games, but he's meant so much more to the Kraken than goals and assists. In an article written by Bob Condor of NHL.com [https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/jaden-schwartz-bill-masterton-memorial-trophy-nominee-2024-25-ft], youngster Shane Wright had only positive things to say about the 32-year-old. "I can learn a lot from him," said Wright. "He's definitely a role model for me, just his habits, on and off the ice, and how hard he works to take care of himself. He’s always in the gym, warming up and stretching and just making sure his body's prepared." Schwartz has played alongside great leaders during his career, some names being Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Reilly, Jay Bouwmeester, and Brayden Schenn. He's evidently learned quite a bit from playing with those players and has brought it with him to Seattle. "He is great for guys like Wrighter and even Matty still, go to him for absolutely everything," said Jared McCann. "He's a guy that even I go to sometimes. A lot of our teammates look up to him. He's been battling injuries. He's just grinded all year, so he deserves [the nomination]." "Jaden’s got a great kind of calm-veteran sense about his approach to the game," said HC Dan Bylsma, who recently noted ‘we didn’t miss Ebs’ voice as much because of Schwartz’ while referencing Jordan Eberle’s 40-game absence from the Kraken lineup. [https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/jaden-schwartz-bill-masterton-memorial-trophy-nominee-2024-25-ft]"Being a pro each and every day, each and every night is what the young guys notice." The initial list of 32 nominees will be voted on by the writers, and three finalists will be announced. A second round of voting will take place then, from those three finalists to determine the winner of the award. The winner will be announced in June. Stay updated with the most interesting Kraken stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwrODfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story.
