Nashville Predators goaltender Carter Hutton of Thunder Bay has been named the team’s nominee for the 2016 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA). The trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
After sporting a 6-7-4 record between the pipes for the Preds in 2014-15, Hutton has responded with a 7-3-3 mark this season, along with a career-high two shutouts. Hutton owns a 2.36 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage through 13 games on the current campaign.
“I don’t think I’ve dealt with anything that’s major compared to what some guys have dealt with, but I think it’s a good thing,” Hutton said of the nomination in a release issued by the Predators.
“It shows that you have to just try to persevere and work hard and continue to improve. I come to work and try to have fun and work hard every day.”
During a three-game stretch for Hutton from Jan. 16 at Minnesota to Feb. 13 at Florida, the former UMass-Lowell netminder allowed only one goal, while shutting out both the Wild and the Panthers. Hutton has earned his team points in 10 of his 13 starts this season.
“It’s great; I’m happy for him,” Pekka Rinne, who was Nashville’s nominee last season, said of his goaltending partner. “They picked the right guy, and I’m very happy for him.”
The Masterton Trophy winner is selected in a poll of all chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season and will be named at the 2016 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.
Former Preds forward Steve Sullivan won the award in 2009.
-- Information supplied by the Nashville Predators
