Washington Capitals goaltender Jose Theodore, Sharks forward Jed Ortmeyer and Lightning defenseman Kurtis Foster have been declared as the finalists for the 2010 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This honor is presented to "the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."
NHL’s 2010 Masterton Trophy Finalists Announced
This trophy was created in 1968 by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association to honor the late Bill Masterton, who played with the Minnesota North Stars, displaying perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey tremendously. Masterton died on Jan.15, 1968 after an injury he sustained during a game.
Tune in on June 23, when the winner will be announced at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas. Each player’s inspiring story can be found below.
JOSE THEODORE, Washington Capitals
What transpired in Theodore’s life last summer is heartbreaking and difficult to discuss. Chace, his two-month-old son, passed away because of respiratory complications connected to his premature birth. Having lost his starting goaltending role that year, Theodore earned it back with a 30-7-7 record, 2.81 goals against average and .911 save percentage.
He and his wife Stephanie founded “Saves for Kids”, a charity to benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., which is the hospital that Chace spent his entire brief life in. The foundation was created to honor his son’s life and give back to the hospital that he and his wife often visited during the summer.
At Children’s National Medical Center, the 54-bed quaternary-level unit (now termed Level IIIC, the highest distinction available by the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines) is one of the region’s major neonatal referral centers for sick newborn and/or infants (ages birth to three months). Children’s NICU services more than 40 in-region and out-of-region hospitals.
At the end of the season Theodore will make a donation to the NICU at Children’s National based on his statistics, donating $2 for every save, $100 for every win and $500 for each shutout. F.H. Furr Plumbing Heating Air Conditioning Inc., a Lennox Premier Dealer, will match Theodore’s donation dollar for dollar during the regular season. During the playoffs, Theodore will up the ante, donating $5 for every save, $200 for every win, $750 for every shutout and an additional $500 for every playoff round won.
JED ORTMEYER, San Jose Sharks
Everyday, Ortmeyer must inject a blood thinner into his stomach to fight off a hereditary blood-clotting disorder that endangers his life and hockey career. There isn’t any room for error because the blood thinner, Lovenox, has to be in his system when he’s resting and must exit it during practice or a game. If the timing is off, a heavy hit or high stick may cause fatal bleeding.
Ortmeyer, who first experienced clotting issues in 2001 after a knee surgery, has considered quitting hockey on two occasions. With eight goals, 11 assists and 19 points, the veteran compiled career highs in each category while playing a key role on the league’s fifth-best penalty kill.
“Corny as it is and clichéd as it is, I enjoy playing hockey, and they always say you never know when your last shift is going to be,” Ortmeyer said. “I wanted to go out on my terms and not be forced out by some medical issue.”
KURTIS FOSTER, Tampa Bay Lightning
An icing call came close to finishing Foster's career in 2008 when he pursued the puck and was pushed from behind by Sharks forward Torrey Mitchell. Falling into the end boards, he remained on the ice in pain and was observed for an extended period of time by the Minnesota Wild personnel. They placed his left leg into a splint and escorted him off the ice with a stretcher.
In surgery the next day, he had a rod inserted into his left femur to help stabilize a terribly broken bone. Fortunate to walk again let alone play hockey, Foster took on extensive rehabilitation and participated in practice almost a year after the incident. The rearguard played six games in the AHL and ten with the Wild in 2009 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in July.
Acquired by Tampa Bay, Foster had an excellent break-out year with 42 points in 71 games, leading the way on the blue line. On the powerplay, he frequently set up Steven Stamkos for a one-timer with his smooth passing. Set to become an unrestricted free agent again, Foster should have more than a few offers heading his way.
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