As we get deeper into summer, more and more NHL award winners have been announced. Colorado Avalanche fans are still waiting to learn the results of several major awards and were pleasantly surprised to hear Gabe Landeskog was announced as the winner of two different awards: the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Landeskog was surprised
with the Masterton trophy earlier today by his family, in a super sweet video posted by the NHL. Landeskog was being interviewed about winning the Messier award in the video, before watching a video informing him he won the trophy, followed by his family bringing the Masterton trophy out to him.
Obviously, Landeskog’s knee injury and journey to get back to NHL action have been very well-documented up till this point, and he’s shown incredible resiliency and perseverance in his return to the Avs, which is exactly why he’s being recognized with the Masterton Award. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I’ll never not be amazed by Landeskog’s return to the NHL, as no professional athlete has ever really successfully returned to playing their sport from a knee cartilage replacement procedure before him, and yet, here we are.
Landeskog was nominated for the Masterton trophy for a second consecutive year but that did not deter voters as they elected him in recognition of his perseverance. Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was a close second and also a very worthy candidate after his fiancée dealt with incredible health struggles. Many different players were also received votes in what is a very prestigious award. Congratulations, Gabe!
