Lalime Selected As Masterton Nominee

From ChicagoBlackhawks.com: (link)

The Chicago chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association has nominated Blackhawks goaltender Patrick Lalime as it nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is an annual award under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is given to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

A grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minn., in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner.

The trophy was presented by the NHL Writers Association in 1968 to commemorate the late William Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars, who exhibited, to a high degree, the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Lalime has had to overcome several obstacles over the last three years following knee and back surgeries. But the 33-year-old veteran never doubted he could return to the kind of form that made him one of the best goalies in the NHL from 2000-04 with Ottawa. Lalime endured a 4-18-8 season with St. Louis in 2005-06, a year that included him being sent to the minors and capped when he tore his ACL. Then after rehabbing all summer and signing with the Blackhawks as a free agent, Lalime hurt his back working out and underwent surgery that kept him out until February of 2007.

Finally healthy this season, Lalime has helped keep the Hawks in the playoff race, stepping in for the injured Nikolai Khabibulin and winning some key games. This season, Lalime has a record of 14-11-2 with a 2.80 goals against average.

The PWHA Chicago chapter includes Chris Kuc (Chicago Tribune), Tim Sassone (Daily Herald), Len Ziehm (Chicago Sun-Times), Tim Cronin (Southtown Star) and Matt Carlson (Associated Press).