The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the NHL player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." It is named in honour of Masterton - a Winnipegger - who is the only NHL player to have died as a direct result of an injury sustained on the ice.
Masterton Trophy nominees are usually players skating season following a major injury/health scare. Exemplifying themselves as living, breathing miracles, recent winners Carey Price, Oskar Lindblom, Bobby Ryan and Robin Lehner have each dealt with significant injury/addiction prior to their return to NHL action.
Earlier this week, the Winnipeg Jets announce forward Sam Gagner as the team's Masterton Trophy nominee. No, he was not in a rebound year from a serious injury or bouncing back from an addiction.
He is not your typical NHL player, and not your typical Masterton nominee.
In fact, he hasn't even had a 'typical' NHL career to this point.
But he is a worthy nominee, nonetheless.
“I certainly appreciate the recognition," Gagner told reporters in Colorado. "I think a lot of it has to do with my parents and the way I was brought up. Also, just the support that I have gotten through the course of my career, through some of the ups and downs. You find out a lot about yourself and the people who support you during those times."
A former sixth overall draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2007, the now 33-year-old veteran is in his 16th season in the NHL with his seventh different club - eight, or one-third of the league, if you count his second go round with the Oilers as a new team.
Yes, he is already 16 seasons into his career and is only 33 years old.
There are many Hockey Hall of Fame members who didn't have 16-year careers - Paul Karyia, Peter Stastny, Bobby Clarke, Darryl Sittler and Denis Potvin to name a few.
"I am fortunate to have been in the league as long as I have been," Gagner added. "You gain perspective as you go along, and just continue to try to work at it. The biggest thing for me is that I love the game. I realize how much the game has given me. I like to live by, ‘you love the game, it will love you back’."
Just three seasons removed from what was his third stint in the minors, the London, ON. product scored the game-winner in the team's home opener, while going on to put up two goals in Winnipeg's first three games, and three in its first six.
He suited up in his 1,000th career game with Winnipeg on December 29 against the visiting Vancouver Canucks - one of his former clubs - to which he became the 375th player all-time to hit that milestone.
"There have been a lot of ups and downs that I wouldn’t trade for anything," he shared. "They have taught me so much and have honestly made me fall in love with the game so much more. I am very appreciative of what I’ve been through in my career. I’m appreciative of the journey and am looking forward to what’s next.”
After beginning the 2022-23 season red-hot, Gagner slowly found himself seated in the press box more often than not. And it was during that timeframe that he determined he would be best off looking after some lingering issues stemming from hip mobility. He was officially shut down for the year at the start of March, but has maintained his veteran leadership in the dressing room as the Jets continued their push for a strong postseason showing.
"We’ve got a great group in here and I want what’s best for the group and want to help them any way I can," Gagner said. "From a personal standpoint, I just felt that it would be the best move to try to be ready for next year and I could still be there for the guys and help them navigate the rigours of the season."
According to Gagner, there is a lot of gas left in his tank.
"Being pain-free and having more mobility in my hips will be really helpful for me," he said.
"I still have a lot of game left. When you look at it, I’ve been around a long time, but I’m only 33 years old and I still feel like I can contribute. That’s the intent. Get this done and hopefully be ready for training camp next year and continue my career.”
Over his career, the 5-foot-11, 197-pound forward has put up 192 goals and 519 points over 1,015 career regular season games for Edmonton, Arizona, Philadelphia, Columbus, Vancouver, Detroit and Winnipeg.
"The lessons that the game has taught me I wouldn’t take back any of it. The adversity or the hardships that I have gone through, they have taught me so much. They will help me in whatever I end up doing later in life.”
Members of the local Professional Hockey Writers' Association chapter nominated Gagner as the Masterton candidate, while the full PHWA membership will vote at season's end to determine the final winner.