The Sports Corner

A true award winner

All NHL season long, fans and critics talk about the possible nominees for the big awards - the Hart trophy, the Vezina, the Norris, the list goes on - and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But little discussion revolves around one award that is probably the most inspiring hardware the NHL actually hands out.

On NHL.com, it says that the Bill Masterton Memorial trophy is given to the player, “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”

It was named after Minnesota North Stars’ William Masterton who passed away on Jan. 15, 1968, “after an injury sustained during a hockey game.”

Every team is able to nominate one player for this annual and well-respect honour, and although all the final names won’t be announced until April 6, there was one specific nominee today that stood out.

His name is Richard Zednik.

By now, most sports fans have heard, or saw, what happened to this Florida Panthers’ forward last year on Feb. 10, 2008.

The images will forever be engraved in the minds of those who either watched it live, on tv, or on the internet. It’s hard to escape from such a horrifying incident.

But Zednik found a way to recover from it.

After having his carotid artery severed accidentally by the skate of former teammate Olli Jokinen, Zednik missed the rest of the 2007-08 season, and many thought his hockey career was over. But that’s why Zednik deserves this award.

The trophy says perseverance.

Zednik returned this season, remarkably, and has 17 goals and 32 points in 65 games so far for the Panthers, putting him 10th in team scoring. Not to mention the four game-winners he’s had, which goes a long way in helping his team, who are currently fighting for the final playoff spot.

The trophy says dedication.

During Florida’s 5-2 win Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, Zednik scored a goal in the second period. But it wasn’t just any goal, it was the 200th of his career. And counting.

The trophy says sportsmanship.

Zednik had this to say when he found out he was nominated.

”I’m pretty surprised, I can’t believe it,” Zednik said Tuesday morning. “It’s a great honor to be nominated for a trophy. We’ll see what happens. It’s a nice surprise.”

Very few can really say they know what he’s been through since the incident. Very few can say that they understand his journey over the course of this past year.

But many has seen how incredibly Zednik has pushed forward. And how he didn’t let one potential career-ending injury become just that.

He has my vote.