Miller nominated for Masterton

Every year, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player in the league who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

In his third year with the Canucks, Ryan Miller has played in 49 games winning 18 of them. The 36-year old goaltender has posted a .915 sv% and a 2.77 GAA in those games.

Miller has been tasked with playing behind a team that has struggled to score offensively, and struggled to help him defensively. He has had to face 40 or more shots on nine occasions this season.

This season, Miller reached the 350 win plateau for his career – something that only two other US-born goaltenders have done as John Vanbiesbrouck on 374, nd Tom Barasso won 369.

At the end of the season, Miller is set to become a UFA.

The trophy is named after Bill Masterton, who is the only NHL player to die as a direct result of injuries suffered while during a game.

During a game against the Oakland Seals on January 13, 1968, Minnesota North Star Masterton carried the puck up ice and as he made a pass, he was sandwiched by two Seals defenders.

As a result of the collision, Masterton fell back hitting his head off the ice. It was reported that he had lost consciousness before he even hit the ice.

Masterton passed away 30 hours after the incident on January 15th, 1968. He was 29 years old.