Connect with us

Penguins

Letang Finalist for Masterton Trophy

Published

on

Pittsburgh Penguins, Kris Letang, Penguins game

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is a finalist for the Masterton Trophy, which recognizes perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

The other finalists are Arizona right winger Clayton Keller and Chicago goalie Alex Stalock.

The finalists were chosen by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

Letang had a strong season despite suffering the second stroke of his career Nov. 28 and dealing with the death of his father just a few weeks later.

He averaged 24 minutes, 51 seconds of ice time and recorded 12 goals and 29 assists in 64 games.

Left winger Lowell MacDonald (1973) and center Mario Lemieux (1993) are the only Pittsburgh Penguins players who have won the Masterton.

Kris Letang also was a finalist in 2015, when he was the runner-up to Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk.

In addition, he was Pittsburgh’s nominee for the award in 2014 and 2018.

Keller, coming off six months of rehabilitation after breaking his leg in March, 2022, had a career year for the Coyotes, putting up 37 goals and 49 assists in 82 games.

Stalock, who had appeared in just one NHL game during the previous two seasons, played in 27 for the Blackhawks, putting up a 9-15-2 record while dealing with the effects of injuries that included concussions and a vision problem that affected his central nervous system.