Previous Maple Leaf Masterton Trophy nominees include Mark Giordano, Morgan Rielly, and 2008 winner Jason Blake.

Dec 2, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) celebrates after his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

John Tavares walked into the Toronto Maple Leafs dressing over 20 minutes after practice concluded one day before their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was one of the few players to stay on the ice, getting in extra work.

At 34 years old and approaching the playoffs, you'd think Tavares would want the rest. However, the former Maple Leafs captain isn't wired that way.

His work ethic is second to none, and his dedication to hockey is unlike many in the NHL. Tavares prides himself on his processes, enabling him to score a point per game in a contract year and his first season after he passed the Maple Leafs' captaincy to Auston Matthews.

Each trait — perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey — is why Tavares is the Toronto Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association's nominee for the 2025 Bill Masterton Trophy.

"I really enjoy what I’m doing. I feel like it’s an amazing opportunity to do something you first fell in love with as a kid," Tavares said of his dedication.

"I kind of just feel like a kid every day, and getting to play a sport and a game that I love and I’ve been doing my whole life, and to get to do it in a tremendous place, where I’m from, all those sorts of things. Every day is really exciting, and you can’t beat it."

When Toronto's playoffs ended last spring, there were discussions within the organization about Tavares transferring the captaincy to Matthews. After reflection throughout the summer, the veteran forward agreed to part ways with the historic honor.

"I think there’s a lot of thought behind it. There’s a lot of things that go through your head," Tavares said, looking back on the decision. "You try to do the right thing at the end of the day. What you feel is right — I think in the biggest picture — for the team and doing everything you can to help the team win."

The Maple Leafs held a press conference in August as Tavares passed on the captaincy. His wife Aryne, sons Jace and Axton (who wore Matthews captain jerseys), and Rae were in attendance, paying respect to the recognition being passed on.

'It Was Pretty Cool To See Them Wearing The 34 With The C': Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Surprised to See John Tavares' Sons Wearing New Captain's Jersey Several key MLSE staff, Maple Leafs management, and former Toronto captains were also in attendance for the announcement.

But as Tavares entered this new chapter with the Maple Leafs, many wondered how it would affect his game.

As we know now, it didn't.

"I never looked at it as something that was going to change my approach or how I lead or how I play and how I expect to come in and the level that I need to play at and just your dedication, work ethic, I think my enjoyment and passion for the game," Tavares said.

"I just took it head on, really believed it was the right thing to do. I didn’t worry about what people were saying or what opinions that were going on, just try to do the right thing and go about my business that I always have, and I expect myself to be at a very high level and help contribute."

Tavares is in the final year of a seven-year, $77 million contract, which he signed as a free agent to return home in 2018. Seven years later, Tavares is back in a similar position.

Report: John Tavares And Steven Lorentz Will Have To Wait Until Off-Season For Contract Offers From Maple Leafs Tavares and Lorentz, each unrestricted free agents at the end of this season, may have to wait to receive contract offers from Toronto.

He has 37 goals — the most he's scored in a season since his first year with the Maple Leafs — and 34 assists for 71 points in 70 games. All of that while awaiting an extension, which he hopes will keep him in Toronto for the remainder of his career.

"Yeah, I mean, that’s stuff is outside the boards and, to me, my approach growing up and now as a professional, playing throughout my career, and at times when your contract’s coming to an end, to me, the mindset of how I play and approach the game doesn’t change," he said.

"I think that goes back to just my enjoyment, the passion for the game, and still feeling like a kid every day. And playing in the NHL, at this level, we get paid very well and have been very fortunate throughout my career. I’m in a pretty good spot where I am, and I think just a lot of trust and belief that it’ll work out, and I just want to go out there and enjoy every day and compete as best I can.

"It’s year 16, I’ve done very well in the league, financially, all those things. There’ll come a time where it’ll be addressed and get taken care of. I just go out there and enjoy playing."

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Why John Tavares Is The Maple Leafs' 2025 Bill Masterton Trophy Nominee