The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is the one end-of-season award in the National Hockey League that no player ever sets out to win. When you look into the rafters of American Airlines Center, the home arena of the Dallas Stars, you begin to know why.
Named after Minnesota North Stars forward Bill Masterton, who is the only player in NHL history to pass away as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game, the Masterton Trophy is awarded to “the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.”
The Dallas Stars continue to pay tribute to Masterton, as his #19 is never to be worn by any player in the franchise’s history.