Forward Sam Gagner has been announced as the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee out of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association's Winnipeg Chapter.
Gagner, 33, joined the Winnipeg Jets this past offseason on a league-minimum deal and has served as a veteran leader within the dressing room amid a season of uncertainty.
The 2022 offseason saw sweeping changes in Winnipeg, including a new coaching staff - led by Rick Bowness - and the removal of a team captain. Despite this, Gagner was able to contribute within his new organization from the get-go.
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.
“I’ve had my ups and downs, for sure,” Gagner said. “Getting sent down by Vancouver and then the following year by Edmonton again, you question how your career is going to end up. But you keep pushing along, keep trying to adjust to the modern game. It certainly feels good to get there. I wasn’t sure where the number would end up, you just want to keep playing and [I’m] certainly happy to get there.”
He was shut down for the year following the February 28th matchup with the Kings, as he opted to get a surgical procedure on his hips.
"He's had some hip issues over the last little while,"Bowness said. "He's elected to have some surgery, so he's out. The hips have been bothering him, so he had an operation on one the other day and I think he's going to have another one in two weeks once that one settles down."
A first round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2007 (sixth overall), Gagner has gone on to produce 519 points (192 goals, 327 assists) over his 1,015 career games for Edmonton, Arizona, Philadelphia, Columbus, Vancouver, Detroit and Winnipeg.
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.
“It’s not always easy,” he said. “There are times coming to the rink that it’s hard. You’re going through losing streaks, you’re not feeling great physically. It’s important to find those moments throughout a year that sustain you and allow you to keep pushing through.”
Despite being sent to the minors on three occasions, the all-round forward persevered and has since been able to re-establish himself on a team in need of veteran knowledge and leadership. Although missing from action in the final stages of the season, Gagner has been able to provide support from afar as he continues to recover from his procedures.
Gagner put up eight goals and 14 points in 48 games this season.
The award is presented annually to the player who best exemplifies qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game. It is named after Bill Masterton - the lone NHL player to ever die following a direct injury sustained on the ice.
The full list of all 32 Bill Masterton Trophy Nominees is as follows:
ANAHEIM — JAKOB SILVERBERG
ARIZONA — CLAYTON KELLER
BOSTON — NICK FOLIGNO
BUFFALO — CRAIG ANDERSON
CALGARY — MIKAEL BACKLUND
CAROLINA — JORDAN MARTINOOK
CHICAGO — ALEX STALOCK
COLORADO — ANDREW COGLIANO
COLUMBUS — BOONE JENNER
DALLAS — JAMIE BENN
DETROIT — ROBBY FABBRI
EDMONTON — DEREK RYAN
FLORIDA — PATRIC HORNQVIST
LOS ANGELES — PHEONIX COPLEY
MINNESOTA — MASON SHAW
MONTRÉAL — ALEX BELZILE
NASHVILLE — CODY GLASS
NEW JERSEY — DOUGIE HAMILTON
NEW YORK (ISLANDERS) — ZACH PARISE
NEW YORK (RANGERS) — JIMMY VESEY
OTTAWA — DERICK BRASSARD
PHILADELPHIA — NICK SEELER
PITTSBURGH — KRIS LETANG
SAN JOSE — NIKOLAI KNYZHOV
SEATTLE — BRANDON TANEV
ST. LOUIS — SAMMY BLAIS
TAMPA BAY — PIERRE-EDOUARD BELLEMARE
TORONTO — MARK GIORDANO
VANCOUVER — BROCK BOESER
VEGAS — PHIL KESSEL
WASHINGTON — JOHN CARLSON
WINNIPEG — SAM GAGNER