Former Winnipeg Jets and current Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan took home the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which was accompanied by an emotional presentation featuring Johnny Gaudreau's wife, Meredith.
The award goes "to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey," and the Professional Hockey Writers Association voted for Monahan as the person who best displayed those qualities this year.
Gaudreau and Monahan were teammates for nine seasons, during which they developed a very close relationship. They formed a dynamic duo for many years with the Calgary Flames and were set to be reunited this year in Columbus before Johnny and his brother Matthew were killed while riding bicycles in August 2024 when a car struck them. Johnny was 31, while Matthew was 29.
The season was a challenge for everyone in the NHL, but it hit a bit harder for Monahan. Despite the hardships, the 30-year-old center had his best season since the 2018-19 campaign, scoring 19 goals and 57 points in 54 games.
Meredith Gaudreau travelled to Toronto to visit the Monahan home and delivered the trophy to their front door. She communicated with Monahan’s wife, Brittany, to trick him into thinking that she had scheduled family photos to be taken. Therefore, Monahan wouldn’t be confused with cameras in their home.
After Meredith was welcomed in, she and Monahan shared an emotional moment.
“Sean, you mean everything to John,” Meredith said to him. “It’s just really special that I could be a part of this because this one is about you.
“You persevered through one of the hardest things, and you just lead by example. This one’s for celebrating your character and how good of a person you are.”
Monahan didn't spend a lot of time with the Jets, but in his short time, he made a lasting impact. He recorded 13 goals and 24 points in 34 games after the Jets acquired him from the Montreal Canadiens at the trade deadline.
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