Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan O’Reilly talks things over with his new linemates ahead of their game against the Boston Bruins. The Toronto Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association has made defenceman Mark Giordano its nominee for the 2023 Bill Masterton Trophy. The award recognizes the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. [gallery ids="5215,5216,5217,5218"] The oldest Maple Leaf at age 39, Giordano broke the modern-day NHL record for most career shot blocks in February with 2,045. "I love still love the game, so it's easy to put the work in," Giordano said. "I love going to the rink, so it's easy to do when you really enjoy it." While the stat has only been kept regularly by the league since 2005-06, it remains a remarkable achievement, given the high velocity of pucks in this era, the heightened risk of injury and the value of shot blocks to team success. As of early April, Giordano is also ranked in the top 30 for blocks by an NHL defenceman this season. Giordano has proved indispensable for the Leafs in many other ways, as a mentor to the youngest players and the last defenceman on the team to take a game off in the 2022-23 regular season, consistently declining team suggestions to skip morning skates. In his first full season, the Toronto native has averaged 18:58 of ice time. On April 6, he played in his 1,100th NHL game. Giordano was also a nominee for the Masterton during his years with the Calgary Flames. Each chapter in an NHL city selects a Masterton candidate and voting on the winner is conducted by the PHWA at large as part of the league’s annual award ceremony. The trophy was created in 1968 to commemorate Masterton, of the Minnesota North Stars, who died Jan. 15, 1968 as a result of an on-ice injury. Previous Masterton nominees from the Leafs include Ondrej Kase, Morgan Rielly, Jack Campbell and 2008 winner Jason Blake. Related 'It'll Be Fun To See What He's All About': Maple Leafs Teammates Look Forward to Welcoming Matthew Knies [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/itll-be-fun-to-see-what-hes-all-about-maple-leafs-teammates-look-forward-to-welcoming-matthew-knies] Maple Leafs Backup Goaltender Status 'Up In Air' as Matthews Knies Remains Unsigned [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/maple-leafs-backup-goaltender-status-up-in-air-as-matthews-knies-remains-unsigned] ‘Something I Can Have Under My Belt Forever’: Jett Alexander, Signed to Amateur Tryout, Makes NHL Debut in Relief Against Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/something-i-can-have-under-my-belt-forever-jett-alexander-signed-to-amateur-tryout-makes-nhl-debut-in-relief-against-canadiens]
