For the second consecutive year, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This certainly comes as no surprise if you've been following the team.
The Masterton Trophy is an annual award under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. It is awarded "to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."
The PHWA Washington Chapter released this statement:
"In Alex Ovechkin's 21st season with the Capitals, and after breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record a season ago, he continues to play with the same passion and dedication he has given to the game since entering the league in 2005. At the age of 40, Ovechkin remains an integral part of the Capitals' locker room. And on the ice, Ovechkin leads the team in goals and assists this season. Having again made history by hitting 1,000 career goals combined in the regular season and playoffs and tying Gordie Howe for the most 25-goal seasons in NHL history, he is undecided about his future next season, but has maintained a love of hockey that is infectious in the dressing room.
Despite turning 40 before the season, Ovechkin still made a major contribution on the ice. The Russian winger now has 61 points (31 goals, 30 assists) in 78 games, along with 928 career goals.
Ovechkin is in the final year of his contract and will make a decision about his future this summer. The 40-year-old talked about it in a recent interview with Capitals radio play-by-play announcer John Walton.
