The Ottawa chapter of the PHWA announced today that they have nominated Derick Brassard for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.
Perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of ice hockey. Three statements that all but sum up Derick Brassard's career but more importantly this season. Contemplating whether he wanted to come back for one more season this summer he decided there was only one team he wanted to play for, his hometown Ottawa Senators.
He came into camp on a professional tryout and made the team with the expectation that he would be the 13th forward slotting in and out of the line-up where needed. That lasted all of five games until Josh Norris suffered a season ending injury and Brassard was thrust into the line-up permanently.
Through his love for the game, Brassard embraced that opportunity and has played whatever role head coach D.J. Smith has called on him for. Though he has slotted into the top six when called upon, he's mostly anchored the bottom six forwards, leading that group in goals and points with 13 and 23 respectively.
One of the reasons Brassard opted to come back for a PTO this season was the pursuit of playing in his 1000th NHL game. In the most fitting circumstances possible Brassard his that milestone in New York against his former team in the Rangers, and then got to celebrate the following game at Canadian Tire Centre against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team that drafted him.
A special moment all along the journey that exemplifies Derick Brassard's perseverance to get here and his dedication to the game he loves.
If Brassard were to win this season, it would mark the third time the Masterton has gone to an Ottawa Senator with Craig Anderson winning in 2017 and then most recently Bobby Ryan in 2020.
