The Winnipeg Jets’ Bill Masterton Trophy nominee for the 2024-25 season is defenceman Neal Pionk. 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.
The 29-year-old blueliner earned the PHWA Winnipeg Chapter’s votes for enduring the tragic passing of his best friend and former university teammate Adam Johnson, who died after being sliced in the throat by a skate blade last year.
“It's a prestigious honour,” Pionk said. “Obviously, a lot of guys have gone through some stuff and I've certainly had loss in my life in the last year and I just thank the guys for helping me through it.”
Pionk has skated in 66 games for the Jets this year, putting up nine goals, 37 points and 44 penalty minutes in another strong offensive season. Currently injured with a lower-body setback, Pionk is set to return to the Jets’ lineup as Winnipeg’s regular season comes to a close this week.
"The first initial shock of it is tough. Tough for everyone,” he added. “Where it gets tough is when the noise settles down and I know some people have had it way worse than I've had. Specifically talking about his family, so that's the thing I keep trying to reach out to them. Even in the past couple of weeks because obviously everyone reaches out right away and even a couple of weeks after that but there is a time where the noise settles down. That's where you kind of got to regroup and reach out again."
He has 43 goals, 254 points and 296 penalty minutes in 533 games for both the Jets and New York Rangers.
“The situation that happened last year in the season and was extremely hard on him, but he was also able to get his mind away and play games. I know this summer, talking to him, he saw the Johnson family. The situation, going to spend time with his wife, different scenarios that he had to go through in the summer. I know it's hard for him when he's not playing hockey. I know he's handled that really well and it's still an extremely tough moment for him at times, but he's handled it like a true professional and he's very honoured to have that bestowed on him."
Each NHL club has submitted its nominees, with three finalists to be determined. The winner will be announced in June.