He finished ahead of defenseman Zdeno Chara of the New York Islanders and forward Kevin Hayes of the Philadelphia Flyers on the ballot.
Price returned to play on April 15 vs. the New York Islanders after missing the first 74 games of the season, due to a knee surgery that took place during the off season. The Anahim Lake, BC native also entered the NHL's players assistance program on October 7, 2021, and then joined the team in November.
The 34-year-old netminder played five games in 2021-22 with the Canadiens, picking up his first win in the very last game of the season against the Florida Panthers. Price had not played since Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 7, 2021.
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected by a poll among the 32 chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season. The trophy commemorates the late Bill Masterton, a player with the Minnesota North Stars, who lost his life following an NHL game on January 15, 1968.
Price becomes the sixth player and first goaltender in team history to win the Masterton Trophy since its inception, following Max Pacioretty (2011-12), Saku Koivu (2001-02), Serge Savard (1978-79), Henri Richard (1973-74), and Claude Provost (1967-68), who was the inaugural recipient of the award.
