Penguins’ Masterton Nominee: Boko Imama Living the Dream

Boko Imama walked into the side locker room at the UPMC Lemieux Complex Tuesday to meet several members of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, including one from Pittsburgh Hockey Now. In a moment too befitting the moment, his right arm was carried in a sling following his recent surgery for a bicep tear.

Despite the misfortune during the longest NHL stay of the 28-year-old’s career, he was in good spirits and a smile ever-ready. He was genuinely appreciative of the honor the local chapter of the PHWA had bestowed: Imama is the Penguins 2025 Masteron nominee.

The award is given annually for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication. It is named after Bill Masterton, the only NHL player to die directly from injuries sustained in a game. Masteron was a member of the Minnesota North Stars, and he passed away after injuries suffered during the game on Jan. 15, 1968.

Kris Letang won the NHL’s award in 2022-23 after he recovered from a stroke. While the award is specifically not a comeback player award, it does usually go to players who have overcome adversity.

For Imama, whose proper name is Bokondjii, there were a lot of bus rides and toiling in the minors, with only a few brief interludes at the NHL level while facing some of the toughest fighters in hockey. He finally stuck around in the NHL for more than a few games. His teammates and Penguins fans quickly came to appreciate the man behind mitts.

“I worked so hard in so many years,” Imama said. “To have another opportunity like this to get to live my dream, I was just very grateful for (it). And I tried to do everything I could every day.”

Imama, 28, has played in 16 NHL games for the Penguins this season, a total that is greater than his three previous NHL stints with the Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators combined. He had played just 15 NHL games since turning pro in 2017.

Read More: Imama Might Have Fighting Chance to Stick With Penguins

It’s been a long road with a lot of long bus rides. A person doesn’t go through all of that for the money. A minor league salary is a nice enough living, but the life has ground up many before.

“I mean, the love of the game,” said Imama. “You’ve been at it for so many years, so, like, why stop now? I just promise myself that I’ll do the best I can with my career, as long as my body allows me to, I’ll just keep on pushing.”

His favorite thing about the NHL isn’t the salary, though that’s much nicer. He also didn’t cite the greater meal money or the five-star hotels. It’s playing with a few future Hall of Famers, like Sidney Crosby.

“This is it. (The NHL) was just my dream. It was everything I had dreamed of as a kid. And now you get to live it every day; it’s just a little bit special, especially when you have the year and the guys you have in this locker room here. It makes it even more special,” Imama candidly admitted. “I remember, being like 10, 11 years old and already idolizing them. And just being in the same dressing room with them is definitely special.”

Imama’s skill set isn’t merely limited to fighting. He knows old-school goonery or buffoonery has no place in the game and conducts himself according to the code. On March 21 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, he sniped his second career goal with a pinpoint wrist shot from the left circle.

He finished that game one assist short of a Gordie Howe hat trick because he also had to fight the very tough Mathieu Olivier in the first period. The fight energized the Penguins, who scored shortly afterward and largely controlled the play.

It’s been a unique ride for Imama, who was born in Montreal but is the son of immigrants. His mother, Kumbia, and father, Bokondji, came to Canada from the Congo. In fact, Imama’s rich voice carries an accent, perhaps French mixed with a little bit of his heritage. Hockey might not have been his parents’ first choice, but growing up in Montreal, he knew nothing else.

And he’s been overcoming challenges far greater than parents who didn’t know hockey ever since.

“There’s always blocks on the road, and you’ve just got to find a way to keep pushing through them,” said Imama. “And I just feel like that’s been my motto since I started playing pro. And that’s how I’ve been finding my success.”

And as Imama deals with his latest obstacle, he’ll be a free agent this summer. The surgery he underwent earlier this month carries a four-to-six month recovery process, which will take him through most of the summer, if not to the edge of next season. Unfortunately for the player, he’ll also be a free agent this summer.

But one step at a time, one challenge at a time.

That’s why Imama is the Pittsburgh PHWA Masteron nominee.