Jaromir Jagr's unparalleled passion makes him Masterton Trophy favorite
Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr deserves the Masterton Trophy even if the hockey community doesn't share a consensus of what this award should be about.
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, has long been misunderstood. Many view it as being similar to a comeback player of the year award, a reward for people who have overcome obstacles, particularly medical woes, to stay in the game. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, a finalist last season, described it as the trophy you don’t want to win because it probably means you have experienced misery in the past.
Jagr should win, not because he has overcome issues, but because he embodies what this trophy is truly about.
The trophy was first introduced in 1968 to honor the player who showed the highest level of “perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” There can’t be too many players demonstrating more perseverance, or dedication, than a soon-to-be 44-year-old player who is tied for the team lead in points (37) and is tied for second in goals (16).
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To me, the original intent of the trophy was to honor players whose passion, love of the game and dedication carried them through the best of times and worst of times. There’s nothing wrong with honoring a player who has overcome medical issues. That has been true from the beginning. Bobby Clarke won the award in 1972 for becoming a star while coping with diabetes. Particularly in that era, it was a monumental example of perseverance.
But you shouldn’t have to be hurt, sick or experience a downturn in your career to win a Masterton. Sometimes, it should go to a player such as Jagr whose passion defines who he is. Jagr’s passion and spirit have helped lift the Panthers out of their doldrums.
Jagr has refused to surrender to Father Time. He has done everything humanly possible to stay in the game and perform at a high level. His training habits are legendary. He tells his coaches that he will only practice when he feels up to it, but he is out there every day. He has practiced even when he has been ordered not to be there.
His enthusiasm for his sport is infectious. To him, hockey is serious business, and yet he finds a way to have fun every day. He can be both a comedian and a philosopher. Jagr seems amused that the ages of his two linemates, Jonathan Huberdeau, 22, and Aleksander Barkov, 20, don't add up to his own age.
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Jagr has said he hopes to be playing when he is 50. There’s nothing to suggest he won’t be able to accomplish that. When he’s on the ice, he seems to have the ability to force everyone to play the way he wants.
Gordie Howe is the NHL’s king of durability. He played until he was 52, and he scored 15 goals in his final season with the Hartford Whalers. When Jagr scored his 16th Thursday, he became the oldest player to score more than a 15 goals in an NHL season. Howe scored 34 goals as a 50-year-old in the now-defunct World Hockey Association.
Jagr’s positive impact on the Panthers’ younger players is one of the most important stories. In the past, we’ve missed opportunities to present the Masterton to deserving veterans such as Chris Chelios, Ron Francis, Mark Recchi and Nicklas Lidstrom, among others. Let’s not miss the opportunity with Jagr.