Capitals’ John Carlson nominated for Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
Caps’ Carlson nominated for Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
ARLINGTON — After completing a three-month comeback from a partial skull fracture and severed temporal artery he suffered in late-December, Capitals defenseman John Carlson is the PHWA Washington chapter nominee for the 2023 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The trophy is awarded annually “to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” Each of the 32 chapters nominates one player from their respective cities before a winner is selected after the season.
Washington PHWA member Tarik El-Bashir informed Carlson of his nomination Monday following the Capitals’ morning skate. The veteran defenseman, who was hospitalized following the incident, expressed gratitude for the honor but showed humility in downplaying the process he went through.
“Just personally, I think what I dealt with was difficult and all that, but I think there was a lot of the other guys too that this season seemed to be the story of the season and in terms of having to work through a lot of stuff,” Carlson said. “I think mine was hard mentally but maybe not so much on the rehab aspect of it in terms of just waiting and stuff. But yeah, it’s been a difficult time and I’m glad to be on the other side of it.”
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy was first awarded in 1968 in honor the late Minnesota North Stars forward, who died after hitting his head on the ice in a game during the 1967-68 season. The Capitals have had one player win the award in its 54-year history: goaltender Jose Theodore in 2010.
