Luke Schenn is the Canucks nominee for the Masterton Trophy

On Monday morning, it was announced that Luke Schenn is the Vancouver Canucks 2021-22 nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The Professional Hockey Writers Association announced all the nominees from the 32 teams.

Notable names include retiring Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, Kevin Hayes of the Philadelphia Flyers and former Canucks defenceman Chris Tanev who is now with the Calgary Flames.

The Masterton Trophy is given to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. It is named after Bill Masterton, a player for the Minnesota North Stars who tragically died in January of 1968 as a result of head injuries sustained during a game.

Last year’s winner was Oskar Lindblom who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma (A type of cancer) in the middle of the 2019-20 season and returned for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and managed to play a full 2021 season. Since the Masterton Trophy was first awarded in 1968, a Canucks player has yet to win it. Last year, Tyler Motte was the Canuck nominated for the Masterton.

Schenn wasn’t expected to play as many games this season as he was brought in as a depth defenceman. However, he has done well in 63 games and has played big minutes. Schenn has been a reliable defensive partner for Quinn Hughes and has been among the league leaders in hits and is always standing up for his teammates.

Schenn has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points this season and that is his highest point total since the 2014-15 season when he was a member of the Flyers.

Schenn was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs fifth overall in 2008. He didn’t live up to expectations in Toronto and was traded to Philadelphia which saw James Van Riemsdyk head to the Maple Leafs. He made stops with the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes and the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks put him on waivers in November of 2018.

It looked like Schenn’s NHL career was done when he was playing with the San Diego Gulls of the NHL. However, the Canucks traded Michael Del Zotto for him and a seventh-round pick in February of 2019. He played seven games with the Utica Comets and 18 with the Canucks that season in which he impressed.

Schenn then played two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In a depth role, he helped the Bolts win back-to-back Stanley Cups before coming back to Vancouver on a two-year deal worth $850,000 per season.

It has been a long road back to the NHL for Schenn and he has proven himself of being a capable NHL defenceman.

“Not just an extra guy who can be replaceable, but a guy they see a part of the future,” said Schenn on his role with the Canucks on Friday’s Sekeres and Price show.  “I still think I can help this team and get better personally.”

“I really enjoy wearing the Canucks uniform, just being a part of the city & organization,” he said. “It’s an incredible & passionate fan base…Hopefully, I continue to be part of the future here going forward.”

You can listen to the full interview here.

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