T.J. Oshie is the Washington Capitals' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — T.J. Oshie is the Washington Capitals' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the Washington chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association announced on Friday.

The Masterton is given to the player who displays perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Here's the PHWA's entry for Oshie's nomination:

"Six years after famously chugging a beer through his jersey at the Capitals' Stanley Cup parade, Oshie continues to be the team's heartbeat. Fighting through chronic back injuries that have sidelined him numerous times, the Warroad, Minnesota native has reached the 1,000 games milestone. Oshie at 37 is still playing with reckless abandon and shows how much he cares about playing hockey at the highest level possible despite the risk of aggravating his back. He's as respected as an opponent as he is a beloved teammate and fan favorite. There are few players in the league who personify perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship as such."

Through 47 games this season, Oshie has managed 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points, all while hitting the 300-goal and 1,000-game marks. He continues to play a key role as a leader on and off the ice, and had also been the first-line winger down this critical stretch. He is currently out with an upper-body injury, and his absence has been felt.

Still, as the "glue" that keeps the Capitals together, Oshie has meant a lot to the group, and to the game as a whole. And the feeling is mutual for No. 77.

"I didn't really dream about people wearing my jersey, you know?... It's a game I love and still love today," Oshie said. "All the support and fans wearing my jersey and recognition, it's unbelievable. Teams I've been on, that's just a bonus. My dream was just to play hockey forever."