Willie Mitchell has been selected as the Kings’ nominee for the Masterton Trophy by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. The Masterton Trophy is annually awarded to a player who exhibits “qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey,” and is named for the late Bill Masterton, who died as a result of an on-ice injury while playing for the Minnesota North Stars in 1968. One nominee is selected per NHL team, and then a winner is selected through a vote by writers. In nominating Mitchell, the organization cited his comeback from a concussion that cost him half of last session, his strong on-ice play and leadership and his willingness and effectiveness in speaking out about concussion-related issues. Here’s what Mitchell said about his nomination…
MITCHELL: “It’s an honor. I know what it’s probably for, is the long road to get back to doing what I do. Everyone knows that it was eight, nine months out of the game of hockey. It’s not an easy thing to do. When you’re going throughout, you wonder if you’re going to get a chance to do it again. I’m just fortunate. I’m thankful that I’m in the situation I’m in now, where I get to play the game I love to play. I have my health. That’s No. 1, and I just appreciate the game so much more after going through all that. You don’t appreciate those things until it’s taken away in a hurry. I’m happy to be back and happy to be contributing to our team. It’s an honor.”
Congrats! Classy and determined guy. Definately deserves it. Thanks for coming to LA!
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Congrats! Bring it home Mitchell!
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PRMan Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@Meman, It would be great if he got the Masterson, but he can’t control that. I’d rather he bring us a Cup!
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I hope you win the award Willie, you have been the Kings greatest aquisition by far. I think you have brought more than just your hockey skills to this team, you’ve brought great work ethic, leadership and your knowledge of coming back from a career threatining injury which seems to have put you in a state of Zen which seems to help the overall attitude of the Kings.
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Congrats Willie!!
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Jim Fox on NHL LIVE this morning
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“…I’m happy to be back and happy to be contributing to our team. It’s an honor.”
-Willie Mitchell
It’s an honor to watch Willie play hockey for the Los Angeles Kings and represent the sport of hockey to the rest of the world.
-Zeley
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The honor is all ours Willie!! Class act guy and super glad DL got him for us!!
Stay strong and stay a King!
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Shakes Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@Stuart,
I second that…. it seemed like a dicey signing in the offseason (purely for health reasons of course) but the way he handled his free agency (i.e. taking his time to complete every test possible before meeting teams, out of courtesy to them) to this season has been pretty awesome.
One has to wonder if he should be wearing the “A” on his sweater (if they’re rotating it around – please not this is not meant to be a diss to Stoll or anyone, but rather a complement to Mitchell)
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KC23 Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
@Shakes, Agree about the “A”. He deserves it a heck of a lot more than Stoll atm. Toronto never gives any hardware to the King’s that they don’t have to. Don’t get your hopes up. My guess is it will be Crosby just because that is the only player that seems to matter to them. Haven’t looked on NHL.com but I bet there is some article about Crosby skating with the team or picking his nose or some such non-sense.
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Too funny, i used to hate this guy when he played for the nucks. Gave him opening arms when he came to LA, and boy is he one of the best turnouts in a long time. Love this guy now. He deserves it. Hes also been stellar allll season.
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DougS Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
@Michael_DD8,
That’s the mark of a really good player — you can’t stand him when he plays against you, but you love him when he’s on your team.
I hope Willie gets it. He deserves it.
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Shakes Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@DougS,
that’s sorta like Ron Artest…wait what?… no. I mean they’re different. I mean, wait.
oh Ron Ron.
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KC23 Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@Shakes, You didn’t just try and compare Artest to Mitchell did you … (best Family Guy voice) “Oh NO you deh-in’t”
He is the one I consider most responsible for our increased success over last year’s great success.
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There’s a lot of great hockey stories out there, but I think Mitchells story the best and most endearing. Not just because I’m a Kingsfan but because his story is a shining example of perserverance. So many question marks about Mitchell heading into the season. Not any doubt in my mind how important he is to our team now. Leadership on and off the ice. Solid play. He even overcame more adversity during the season with a different injury to become one of our best and most steady defenseman. A true warrior.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 11:53 am
@Dominick, Hopefully your still going to the PHX game. Would like top meet up with you if possible. Let me know what time you’ll be at Staples.
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The guy should be considered for a letter next season
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Sebastian Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@Dave’s a Killer, there are no letter left to give, the kings already have a Captain and 2 Assistants
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Alas, if Rodney King, uh, I mean Ray Emery from the Ducks doesn’t win the Masterton, I’d be very surprised.
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Stuart Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 11:55 am
@deadcatbounce, he’s only come back and played a few games, no way does gangstaRay get it.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@Stuart, While I don’t root for the Ducks, Emery has come back from a very serious medical condition which jeopardized his hockey career and even his ambulatory status. Avascular necrosis can be crippling and I never would have thought we’d see him back in the NHL again, so this is why I’m casting my vote for Emery. It’s not a knock against Mitchell, but Willie is only one of several who have fought their way back from concussions.
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kbc Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@deadcatbounce, I would agree. I hate the ducks with a passion almost more than I hate detroit and that is allot. But I find myself rooting for Emery. He not only has come back to the NHL after everbody thought he was done He is also play very well. I would love to see Willie win, but I would have to cast my vote for Ray.
fridgemagnet57 Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
@deadcatbounce,
So we’re comparing concussions vs avascular necrosis? Both serious conditions and I think there is no loser for those who have battled back from these conditions. Sounds like we’re downplaying the severity of concussions here. Concussions are a bit trickier and not given a time frame or election of surgery to repair the condition.
I say Ray can win it next year when he plays a full season.
You’ve been a marvel to watch, Willie; our best acquisition in years. You deserve the recognition!
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Great honor for Mitchell. Although I’m pretty sure Emery will win the trophy, Mitchell is a great examples of someone who has comeback from a serious concussion. I wonder if the NHL has reached out to him about steps he took during the recovery process, especially in light of the slew of concussions around the league this season.
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Congrats Willie! Rich, any word on wether Kopi was/is going to be nominated for the Selke?
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congrates willie!!! love all the ducks complaining about last nights game lol check it out http://ducks.ocregister.com/2011/04/03/ducks-not-referees-lost-this-one-to-dallas/62291/
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Shakes Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@kennynakamoto,
the funny thing is that the ref made the right call both times
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kennynakamoto Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@Shakes, lol yeah and at the right time as well!!
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gratz willie
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Willie, the honour is all ours.
Good luck and well done!
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And I Quote the great Puck73, “No Mitchell, No Playoffs”
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Congratz Willie on being nominated! That’s one thing typical about hockey players, when they talk about playing the game, it’s about how much love and passion and enjoyment they get out of it. It’s almost as though the money they get is an afterthought. And I agree with kinginsaltlake qouting the great Puck73, (by the way, where is he? still on moderation?)Without Willie Mitchell, we’d be in serious hurt right now.
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Cograts Willie Mitchell, you have been the reason the Kings are a better team this year than last.
Just a thought:
1st round:
VAN vs CHI = CHI
DET vs ANA = ANA
SJ vs NASH = SJ
LA vs PHX = LA
2nd round:
SJ vs CHI
LA vs ANA
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Sebastian Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@Shotongoal, i would bet on Vancouver and Detroit getting past the first round.
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@Sebastian, remember what happened in the East last year. Neither DET or VAN come from real strong divisions, especially VAN. I don’t like DET’s goaltender situation at all, and if they were to play an offensive capable team, which ANA is, I think they will have problems. I think CHI would pressure VAN all series, and that’s something that Luongo doesn’t react to well. Just a thought though…
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even though i would love to see Mitchy take it home i just think Emery is a slam dunk for this award. To go through what he has with an injury or condition or whatever you want to call it that has ended people careers (Bo Jackson to name one) and have the comeback he has i think he gets the nod. I wouldnt vote for him though, I have always liked Ray Emery until he became a Quack!
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chongo Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, He hasn’t been in the big league for long enough this season to deserve it imo.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@chongo, Ill agree with that!
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deadcatbounce Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, The fact that Emery even came back and got another sniff at the NHL is amazing enough after going through what he did. I don’t like Emery, I don’t like his antics he pulled in Ottawa, but this is about this year, not seasons past or not next season. Anyone who doubts the serious of avascular necrosis should read up on it a little more.
fridgemagnet57 Reply:
April 4th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
I don’t like the Quacks either, but I do know I’d like to see one of their goalies win this award next year after Mitchell wins it in 2011.
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A great acquisition and a class act. Congratulations WM!!
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“Season” not “session”
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fridgemagnet57, Sounds like you’re downplaying avascular necrosis. Do you have any idea how serious a condition it is? I don’t recall slighting Willie, but if you think he should win the Masterton just because he got his clock cleaned you have to compare him with everyone else who came back this season after going through the same thing. Try reading up on AVN and maybe it will enlighten you.
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