The Vegas Golden Knights have named goaltender Akira Schmid as their candidate for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
All NHL teams nominate a player for the award, which is presented each year to the player who best exemplifies tenacity, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
"Akira Schmid's perseverance and dedication to hockey has paid off as he signs with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025-26, plays his first full season in the NHL and starts for Switzerland at the Olympics," the PHWA said. "Schmid spent most of the last four years improving his game in the Minors, and achieved career highs in terms of starts and wins in the NHL. In a season of inconsistency and injuries in the Vegas crease, Schmid has been consistent for the Golden Knights and is a big reason they are still in playoff position.
He is an excellent teammate and plays whatever role is asked of him, which often includes skating late with the shooters after practice, or entering games in the cold and playing lights out to steady the ship. “His humble, internally driven mentality is perfect for a role that is often underappreciated but has played a crucial role for the team.”
This season, the 25-year-old goaltender has started 34 games and posted a 16-10-6 record with a .893 save percentage and 2.59 goals-against average.
Since the return of Carter Hart, Schmid appears to be the third goaltender on the roster moving forward behind Adin Hill, with no clear path to a starting role unless an injury occurs.
The Golden Knights will play the Seattle Kraken on Thursday at 7:00 pm and will be looking for their fifth consecutive win under head coach John Tortorella.
