SUNRISE, Fla. — The Professional Hockey Writers Association revealed the nominees for the 2026 Bill Masterton on Wednesday.
The Bill Masterson Trophy has been awarded annually since 1968 to the player who “best exemplifies qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.”
From the Florida Panthers, the PHWA Florida chapter selected veteran forward Brad Marchand as its nominee.
The five-member chapter was unanimous in its decision.
Marchand is playing in his second season with the Panthers after being acquired at last year’s Trade Deadline.
He made an immediate impact upon arrival, helping lead Florida to their second straight Stanley Cup victory last June while averaging a goal per game during the Final against the Edmonton Oilers.
This season, Marchand led the Panthers on and off the ice during an incredibly challenging and injury-plagued season for the defending champs.
Despite spending much of the year playing through injuries himself, Marchand led the Panthers in goals and points until his ailments began catching up to him, causing him to sporadically miss time before ultimately being ruled out for the season last month.
His impact was also felt away from the rink.
In October, one of Marchand’s best and oldest friends, JP MacCallum, lost his 10-year-old daughter Saleh to a battle with cancer.
With the team’s blessing, Marchand to a leave of absence from the Panthers to travel to his home of Halifax, Novia Scotia to be with the MacCallum family. During his time there, Marchand filled in as a guest head coach for the U-18 Marchand and Mill Co. Hunters, the youth hockey team that MacCallum is the head coach for.
The game also served as a fundraiser for the MacCallum family.
Marchand signed a six-year contract extension with the Panthers last summer. He finished this season with 27 goals and 54 points in 52 games.
Each of the NHL’s 32 teams will have a nominee for the Masterton Trophy. Members of the PHWA will vote on the nominees, and three finalists will be announced sometime during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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