Monday, March 17, 2008

Dallas Stars’ Sergei Zubov nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — The Dallas chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) announced that Dallas Stars defenseman Sergei Zubov is its nominee for the 2007-08 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Photo not provided by the Dallas Stars

Zubov is the only NHL defenseman to post 30+ assists in each of the past 12 seasons

The Masterton Trophy is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The winner will be selected at the end of the regular season by a poll of the PHWA’s 30 chapters. Last year’s recipient was forward Phil Kessel of the Boston Bruins.

Zubov, 37, has appeared in 46 games with the Stars this season, posting four goals and 31 assists for 35 points with a +6 rating. Despite missing the past 25 games due to injury, he is still the only defensemen to record 30-plus assists in each of the past 12 seasons. He notched his 600th career NHL assist on Nov. 21 vs. Anaheim, becoming the 15th NHL defensemen in league history to reach the milestone.

The 15-year NHL veteran ranks third in scoring all-time among defensemen born outside of North America behind Nicklas Lidstrom and Borje Salming. Since the 1993-94 season, he ranks second (behind Lidstrom) in points among all NHL blueliners.

Following the 2005-06 season, Zubov was nominated for the Norris Trophy for the first time in his career and was also named to the NHL Second All-Star Team. In 1993-94 while with the New York Rangers, he became the first defensemen in NHL history to lead a team in scoring that finished first overall in the NHL. The two-time Stanley Cup winner (’94 with Rangers, ’99 with Stars) has also participated in three NHL All-Star Games (1998, 1999, 2000) and one Olympics (1992).

NHL writers first presented the trophy in 1968 to commemorate the late Bill Masterton, who played for the Minnesota North Stars and died on January 15, 1968, as the result of head injuries suffered during a game. Masterton’s number 19 has never been worn by another Stars player and was officially retired on January 17, 1987.

Philippe Boucher was Dallas’ nominee for the 2006-07 season.

Source: Dallas Stars

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