Craig Anderson, Derek Ryan and Andrew Cogliano Named Masterton Trophy Finalists

The National Hockey League announced on Monday, Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators, Andrew Cogliano, of the Anaheim Ducks and Derek Ryan, of the Carolina Hurricanes are the top three nominees for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, presented to the player that best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.  

Anderson put up a 25-11-4 record, with a 2.28 goals against average, five shutouts and a .926 save percentage between the pipes through 40 games for the Senators. He was also able to put up with those numbers, while taking several leaves of absences, helping to care for and be with his wife Nicholle. 

Nicholle, had been diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer back in October. 

One of the memorable moments for Anderson and his team, during the 2016-2017 NHL season, occurred after backup goalie, Andrew Hammond suffered a lower-body injury against the Calgary Flames. Nicholle, told her husband, “Your team needs you.” He then rejoined his team in time for the next game, and after a 37 save performance against the Edmonton Oilers, he received a standing ovation after being named the number one star. 

Cogliano, nominated for the Masterton for the fourth time in six seasons, put up 35 points (16 goals & 19 assists) for the Ducks this past season. He had four shorthanded tallies and was a plus-11 rating through 82 games. 

He is the reigning ironman in the NHL, with 786 consecutive games, not having missed a game since he made his debut with the Oilers in 2007-2008. Only Doug Jarvis, who played 964 straight games, between 1975 and 1988, has played in more games to start his career. Cogliano’s streak is the fourth longest in NHL history. 

Ryan, became an NHL regular during this past season. In 67 games, he put up 29 points (11 G & 18 A) with three game winning goals. 

After playing three full seasons with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League and not being drafted, he played four seasons at the University of Alberta and four more in Europe. He signed as a free agent with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2015. 

During the 2015-2016 season, he appeared in just six games, despite four call-ups from the American Hockey League. Ryan also started the 2016-2017 season, with the Hurricanes AHL affiliate the Charlotte Checkers before getting the call last February.

Ryan, scored his first NHL goal on March 1, against the New Jersey Devils, as he became the oldest player in Hartford Whaler/Carolina Hurricane history, to do so in his debut.

The winner will take home the hardware on June 21, when the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft takes place at the new home of the Vegas Golden Knights, the T-Mobile Arena. NBCSN will televise the event to its viewers in the United States, while the Canadian viewers can watch it on Sportsnet. The festivities will begin at 7:30 PM Eastern Time.