Corey Crawford is the Blackhawks’ nominee for the 2020 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, annually awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport, as voted upon by the team’s chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
After two injury-shortened seasons due to concussions, the 35-year-old goaltender bounced back. He missed 28 games during the 2018-19 season, but went 7-4-1 with a 2.23 goals against average, .925 save percentage and one shutout in 12 starts when he returned to close out the campaign. This past season, Crawford stayed healthy and was 16-20-3 with 2.77 GAA, .917 save percentage and one shutout in 39 starts while splitting the majority of starts before the NHL trade deadline when Robin Lehner was traded to the Golden Knights.
Only two other Blackhawks have won the Masterton Trophy: Pit Martin (1969-70) and Bryan Berard (2003-04). The 31 nominees will be narrowed to three finalists in a poll by PHWA members, and the winner will be announced at the NHL Awards at a to-be-determined date.
In 2019, Lehner won the award after he publicly revealed struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder in the offseason, and had a career-low 2.13 goals-against average in the regular season with the Islanders.
Which player do you think will be named the #Blackhawks nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy?
— Second City Hockey (@2ndCityHockey) June 8, 2020
The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association proudly announces chapters’ nominees for the 2020 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: pic.twitter.com/EpBQDoMhe5
— PHWA (@ThePHWA) June 9, 2020