Zdeno Chara nominated for Masterton Trophy

It was announced today that Zdeno Chara has been nominated for The Masterton Trophy, which as explained by NHL.com is awarded to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”

Chara while having to help backend one of the more shaky defenses of the Eastern Conference has been playing through injury, through coaching changes, through a free-wheeling decision of “whose my defense partner this shift”, and all the while giving back to the community in various ways, such as his “PJ Drive” for underprivileged children, The Cradles to Crayons project in Boston, and even taking time out of the miserable practice schedule of a pro hockey player to make one very sick kid out in LA’s day while he recovered. He of course is a mainstay of Bruins Foundation causes such as Cuts for a Cause and the holiday toy delivery to the floating children’s hospital in Massachusetts.

As for the dedication to hockey part, Zdeno Chara has been the Boston Bruins’ Captain for very nearly a decade, through rising up and finally winning the Stanley Cup, and through the rough times as well, of which we are all very aware of. This is also Chara’s third lowest year in PIM of his entire career, with 57, so he’s been keeping his nose clean, all things considered.

Congrats to Z on his nomination! Hope he wins!