Harding's Case for Masterton

            While Wild fans are still licking their wounds over the whole Brodin not being nominated for Calder situation, we have some reassurance in hockey award matters knowing that at least Suter was nominated for Norris. Oh what’s this? Harding’s been nominated for Masterton! Our Josh Harding, who has overcome Multiple Sclerosis to keep playing as goaltender for Minnesota Wild has been nominated and is a for-sure winner for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy! But wait…there are more nominees? Sidney Crosby and Adam McQuaid? They’re nominees? I mean, yeah, they’ve overcome a few hurdles in their careers lately, but still? This should have been a one-nominee contest honestly, and I’ll give you guys some reasons why.

            The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is an award given to an NHL player who exemplifies perseverance and dedication to ice hockey and shows quality sportsmanship. Sounds a pretty fitting award for goaltender Josh Harding who, over the past few months, has displayed those qualities mentioned. Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – a disease that attacks the myelin sheaths of nerve fibers – sometime during the lockout, Harding has overcome multiple obstacles this past season and deserves some recognition. Although Harding made few appearances this season due to complications with medicine concerning the MS, the fact that he made an appearance at all as an NHL goaltender is outstanding. Goaltenders are expected to be at 100% all the time, so having a disease that affects balance and coordination would greatly impact the performance of any goaltender…unless of course, that goaltender is Josh Harding.

            Harding’s first start in the NHL this season was greatly watched by fans everywhere to see how the Minnesota Wild goaltender would perform after news of his diagnosis had spread across multiple media outlets just weeks before. Despite everyone’s worries and predictions that he would not be able to handle the level of play in the NHL, Harding, against the Dallas Stars on January 20^th, stopped all of the 24 shots he faced to record a shutout. Unfortunately though, Harding would disappear for a few months after a bad second start in which he was pulled due to illness from the medications treating his disease. After a long period out of the spotlight, and spending a couple games with the Houston Aeros for reconditioning, Harding would return to the Minnesota Wild lineup in late April. The story doesn’t end there though, as the Wild advanced into the playoffs Harding would further emphasize his case for Masterton, coming in as a relief appearance for Niklas Backstrom who was injured during warm-ups of Game 1 against Chicago Blackhawks. Now starting goaltender for the 8^th seed team playing in net against the top team in the league, Harding was in the spotlight again and performed remarkably well, and despite the losses, was in net for the only win the Wild achieved to not be swept by the Blackhawks.

            So, to reflect on the arguments against Harding for Masterton, let’s look at the reasons Crosby and McQuaid deserve the award. Sidney Crosby, who has suffered from concussion symptoms the past two seasons, took a puck to the face that broke his jaw and resulted in the loss of multiple teeth as well. Adam McQuaid underwent typical season-ending surgery to remove blood clots caused by a condition known as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and was rehabilitated in time for the opening game this season. Giving credit where credit is due, these two have certainly overcome obstacles and have shown immense dedication to this sport, but these arguments do not hold strong against Harding’s case for the Masterton trophy. Crosby is not the only player in the league to suffer long-term concussion symptoms, or the only one who suffered multiple facial injuries due to a puck; if those were the arguments, then Wild Pierre-Marc Bouchard, or Rangers Marc Staal would hold a case as well. As for McQuaid, many would argue in favor of Erik Karlsson who suffered a laceration to his Achilles tendon earlier this season and recovered long before expected to join his team again before the end of the regular season. Crosby and McQuaid both have shown dedication to hockey by overcoming their severe injuries and surgeries, but neither compare to the perseverance of goaltender Josh Harding to continue on with his NHL career despite his diagnosis.

            Multiple players in the NHL overcome obstacles every day to keep playing the game they love, some more than others. The Masterton Trophy is for the players that go above and beyond to fight through what normally would end another player’s career, and Josh Harding has done just that. While Sidney Crosby and Adam McQuaid have certainly overcome much lately, more than many players would, they do not show the same level of dedication and perseverance that Harding displayed this season by not letting MS end his career. This is a one-nominee contest for Masterton, and fans and fellow players alike will be waiting to applaud Josh Harding as he walks to the stage to receive the award he so deserves.