Maple leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov experienced a significant turnaround, rebounding from adversity to secure the likely starting position for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. His remarkable journey has earned him the team’s nomination for the 2024 Bill Masterton Trophy, chosen by the Toronto chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The Masterton Trophy celebrates attributes such as sportsmanship, perseverance, and dedication to hockey, all of which characterize Samsonov’s season. After facing challenges earlier in the year, including being placed on waivers, Samsonov displayed resilience and determination, culminating in an impressive record of 15-3-1 from January 21 to March 30. This resurgence reaffirmed his status as one of the league’s top goaltenders.
The Masterton Trophy, established in 1968 in memory of the late Minnesota North Stars forward Bill Masterton, honors individuals who exhibit unwavering commitment to the sport. Samsonov joins nominees from each of the NHL’s 32 cities, with last year’s recipient being Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang. Past nominees from the Maple Leafs organization include Mark Giordano, Morgan Rielly, and the 2008 Masterton winner, Jason Blake.