The Toronto Maple Leafs have decided their pick for the 2025 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy award.
The Leafs will announce veteran forward John Tavares as their nominee for the trophy with Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan the first to report the news.
The trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.”
Each NHL team nominates one player, with the winner chosen by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The Toronto chapter of the PHWA elected Tavares for the honor.
Tavares, in his 16th season and final season of a seven-year, $77 million contract signed in 2018, was recognized for his work ethic and leadership as he continues to play a key role for the Leafs, even at age 34.
John Tavares is #Leafs Masterton nominee, as voted by the Toronto chapter of the PHWA: https://t.co/e3wIDudLCe
— Terry Koshan 🇺🇦 (@koshtorontosun) April 9, 2025
No longer the team captain after passing the role to Auston Matthews this season, Tavares has remained a cornerstone of the group.
“It’s just I love what I do,” Tavares said. “I feel like it’s an amazing opportunity to do something that you first fell in love with as a kid. So I feel like a kid every day, getting to play a sport and game that I love.”
Following Tuesday’s loss to the Florida Panthers, Tavares has 71 points in 70 games, including 37 goals and 34 assists.
Tavares ranks second on the team in goals and recently reached 1,100 career points.
The veteran center credited his longevity to attention to detail off the ice – from post-practice shooting drills to skating sessions with Leafs consultants.
“There’s a lot of thought behind it,” Tavares said regarding moving on from the captain’s duties and embracing a new role. “I didn’t look at it as something that was going to change my approach.”
The only other Leaf considered a candidate, Koshan reported, was goalie Anthony Stolarz. The last Leaf to win the Masterton was Jason Blake in 2008.
Be the first to comment