COLUMBUS, OHIO -- The Columbus chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association has nominated Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, the club announced today. The award is given annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Foligno, 27, has tallied 27 goals and 39 assists for 66 points with 46 penalty minutes and a +10 plus/minus rating in 73 games this season, setting career highs in goals, assists and points. He leads the club in goals, power play goals (11) and plus/minus rating, is second in assists and points and made his NHL All-Star Game debut at Nationwide Arena in January.
The Buffalo, New York native has registered 112-160-272 and 469 penalty minutes in 539 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators during his eight-year professional career, including 51-73-124 with 170 penalty minutes and a +21 plus/minus rating in 188 games since joining the Blue Jackets prior to the 2012-13 season.
The winner of the Masterton Trophy is selected by a poll of the 30 chapters of the PHWA at the conclusion of the regular season. The trophy was first presented by the NHL writers in 1968 in honor of the late Bill Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars who exhibited the qualities for which the trophy embodies, and who died on Jan. 15, 1968. Last year's winner was Dominic Moore of the New York Rangers.
Previous Blue Jackets nominees for the award include: Kevin Dineen (2000-01 and 2001-02, finalist both years), Luke Richardson (2002-03), Manny Malhotra (2003-04), Duvie Westcott (2005-06), Fredrik Norrena (2006-07), Pascal Leclaire (2007-08), Raffi Torres (2008-09), Jared Boll (2009-10), Derek MacKenzie (2010-11), Curtis Sanford (2011-12), Vinny Prospal (2012-13) and Foligno (2013-14).
The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they host the New York Islanders. Game time from Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m.
(Columbus Blue Jackets press release)
