January 15, 1968(1968-01-15) (aged 29) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Height
6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight
185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position
Centre
Shot
Right
Played for
Minnesota North Stars
National team
United States
Playing career
1961–1968
William Masterton (August 13, 1938 – January 15, 1968) was a Canadian American professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Minnesota North Stars in 1967–68. He is the only player in NHL history to die as a direct result of injuries suffered during a game, the result of massive head injuries suffered following a hit during a January 13, 1968 contest against the Oakland Seals.
A college standout with the Denver Pioneers, Masterton was a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship teams in 1960 and 1961, was twice an NCAA All-Star and was the most valuable player of the 1961 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. He briefly played in the Montreal Canadiens organization before settling in Minnesota where he played senior hockey. The NHL's 1967 expansion offered an opportunity to play for the newly founded North Stars, for whom he scored the first goal in the franchise's history.
Masterton's death sparked a long-running debate in hockey about the merits of wearing helmets, as few NHL players did so at the time. Despite several efforts to mandate their use, it was 11 years before the NHL made them compulsory for all new players beginning in the 1979–80 season. In his memory, the NHL created the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy which it has awarded since 1968 to a player who demonstrates perseverance and dedication to hockey. The North Stars retired his jersey number 19, an honour that followed the franchise when it later relocated to Dallas, Texas.
William Masterton (August 13, 1938 – January 15, 1968) was a Canadian American professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League...
The BillMasterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship...
from the playoffs. At the end of the season, he was nominated for the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy for the second time. It was eventually awarded to Minnesota...
Masterton (Māori: Whakaoriori) is a large town in the Greater Wellington Region of New Zealand that operates as the seat of the Masterton District (a...
BillMasterton Memorial Trophy". Sportsnet. May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022. Satriano, David (June 3, 2022). "Price of Canadiens wins Masterton Trophy...
team. The game was a 2–2 tie, with former US National Team forward BillMasterton scoring the first goal in franchise history. On October 21, 1967, the...
goaltenders who give up the fewest goals in the season. Emery was a two-time BillMasterton Memorial Trophy finalist for his dedication and perseverance. His teammates...
season, Lemieux was awarded his second Hart Trophy, as well as the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy, given to the player who best exemplifies perseverance...
with 25 goals, 15 assists and 40 points. Lightning's nominee for the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy as the player who shows best qualities of perseverance...
2017–18 season, Boyle was selected as the Devils' nomination for the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy. On April 16, Boyle engaged in a fight with Tampa Bay...
Canada in the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union. He won the BillMasterton Trophy in 1976 for his perseverance over his back troubles. At the beginning...
Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 2000 and the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance in 2003. He played in ten All-Star...
18-month battle with the disease, for which the NHL awarded him the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy, before retiring to serve as an assistant coach for...
Trophy as the most sportsmanlike player. In 1994–95 he was awarded the BillMasterton Trophy as the player who best exemplified the qualities of perseverance...
back-up goalie for the 1997–98 NHL season. That year he was awarded the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who best displays perseverance...
remained one of the team's most popular players. After winning the BillMasterton Trophy in 2001, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for...
the season with 27 points in 76 games. Rielly was nominated for the BillMasterton Trophy at the end of the 2016–17 season. During the 2017–18 season,...
a career-high 33 goals and 32 assists in 79 games, also winning the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy for "perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey...
Calder Memorial Trophy Jonathan Huberdeau: 2012–13 Aaron Ekblad: 2014–15 BillMasterton Memorial Trophy Jaromir Jagr: 2015–16 Frank J. Selke Trophy Aleksander...
moustache made him an iconic figure within the sport. McDonald won the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy for dedication and sportsmanship in 1983 and in 1988...
Boston Bruins. After his rookie season, 2006–07, he was awarded the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy for overcoming testicular cancer while continuing his...
Archived from the original on 2018-11-18. Retrieved 2017-06-10. "NHL BillMasterton Memorial Trophy Winners". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Archived...
Named to the NHL Second All-Star team — 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994 Won the BillMasterton Memorial Trophy — 1994 His #8 Jersey was retired by the Boston Bruins...
Global Information
United States