"It just makes you realize giving up a bad goal is not the end of the world," he said of his son's death and its aftermath. "It happened three weeks before training camp opened. I didn't know how I was going to react focus-wise and everything. And to be able to have one of my best seasons I had, I'm really proud of that and looking forward to having a more normal summer, and next year being able to keep building up."
mlb hatsThe Masterton honors the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Kurtis Foster and San Jose Sharks forward Jed Ortmeyer were the other finalists. Foster posted career bests of 71 games, 34 assists and 42 points, after returning from a broken leg. Ortmeyer had 19 points in 76 games. He must inject a blood thinner into his stomach each day to combat a hereditary blood-clotting disorder.
mlb capsThe award was presented by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association to honor the late Bill Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars who exhibited those qualities. Masterton died on Jan. 15, 1968, as a result of an on-ice injury.