Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association has nominated goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the Bill Masterton Trophy this season.
The Masterton Trophy is awarded each season to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey."
This is Luukkonen's first nomination for the award, which comes after some struggles in net last season in a three-goalie rotation. The 2022-23 season saw Luukkonen play 33 games and record 17-11-4 record, a 3.61 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage.
This season, the 25-year-old has developed into Buffalo's No. 1 option in goal, putting up a 25-20-3 record in 49 games, while recording a 2.57 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage and five shutouts.
Don Luce (1974-75) and Pat LaFontaine (1993-94) were past Sabres players to have won the Masterton Trophy as members of the team. Meanwhile, former Sabres players Dominic Moore (2013-14) and Robin Lehner (2018-19) were also winners of the Masterton Trophy.
Each team around the NHL nominates one player for the Masterton Memorial Trophy, and the winner is selected by the PHWA. The award has often been awarded to a player who has overcome adversities such as a serious injury, an illness, a family crisis, and other factors.
