Dillon's Masterton Trophy Nomination

0:00It's April 8th. This is NHL News Today, AI-powered stories from inside your team. The New Jersey chapter of the Professional Hockey Riders Association just named Devil's Defensemen Brendan Dillan, their nominee for the 20, 26 Bill Masterton Trophy. This award goes to the NHL player who best shows perseverance, sportsmanship, and total dedication to the game. It's named after Bill Masterton, who tragically died from head injuries back in 1968 after a tough hit. Every one of the 32 local chapters picks a nominee from their team, and Dillan earned it after battling back from a scary neck injury in game. One of the 2025 playoffs that needed surgery. He came back even stronger this season, locking down the blue line and throwing his body around for the team. The 35-year-old hit his 1000 NHL game on December 1st, 2025, took another injury, but gutted it out for a few shifts. Anyway, earning props from everyone around the league. Dillan's got 15 points, three goals, and 12 assists.

1:02In 78 games, plus 97 block shots, and 193 hits. He's also a leader in the room, holding guys accountable, mentoring the young bloods, and firing up the whole locker room. The top three vote getters become finalists, with the winner announced at the NHL awards in June. Things like Dillan's remind us why hockey's got that warrior spirit baked in.