Dan Hamhuis nominated for Bill Masterton Trophy

The Vancouver chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association has unanimously voted for Dan Hamhuis to be the Canucks nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey, and there couldn’t have been a better choice for the Canucks this season.

Hamhuis suffered serious facial injuries after having a Dan Boyle shot him in the face on December 9th, 2015. He would have to his face reconstructed which included the insertion of metal screws and plates to repair his fractured cheekbone, along with surgeries to repair his shattered jaw.

He amazingly returned on February 6th and has played every game since. Amid a plethora of trade rumours and speculation leading up to the deadline, Hamhuis has been slowly getting back to the same level of play that Canucks fans are used to. He isn’t quite there yet, but he isn’t a liability like others.

As a pending unrestricted free agent, his future with the team is uncertain but that hasn’t stopped him from taking players like Nikita Tryamkin under his wing and showing them the ropes. Going as far as having the young Russian defenceman to his house for a family dinner.

Even though Hamhuis was nominated for the award today, as always he was humble first and thanked the people around him:

Unfortunately, this may be Hamhuis’ last season with the Canucks, but I think this award nomination is perfectly fitting for someone has given everything he can for this organization on and off the ice.

I wish nothing but the best for Hamhuis going forward.