Alfredsson, Lupul, Pacioretty named Masterton finalists

Apr 24, 2012 - 3:39 PM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul and Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty have been named the finalists for the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

The 39-year-old Alfredsson returned from offseason back surgery for his 16th NHL campaign. He had 27 goals -- including the 400th of his career -- 59 points and a plus-16 rating in 75 games this season. He was also named an All-Star captain.

Off the ice, Alfredsson has been a leading advocate for mental health causes with the Royal Ottawa Hospital and the Do It For Daron Foundation, which honors the memory of the daughter of assistant coach Luke Richardson.

Lupul finished with 25 goals and a career-best 67 points in just 66 games this season. He was named an alternate captain for the All-Star Game after a pair of back surgeries and a blood infection had limited him over the previous two seasons.

The 28-year-old Lupul purchased five 24-person suites at home games for use by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.

Pacioretty's 2010-11 season ended early due to a fractured vertebrae and a concussion. He reported to training camp healthy, and went on to record 33 goals and 65 points in 79 games this season. He became the first U.S.-born player in Canadiens history to score 30 goals in a season.

Away from the ice, Pacioretty created the Max Pacioretty Foundation to help the Montreal General Hospital raise money to buy a Functional MRI machine for the Traumatic Brain Injury Centre at Montreal General Hospital/McGill University Health Centre.

Pacioretty would become the fifth player in Canadiens history to win the award after Claude Provost (1968), Henri Richard (1974), Serge Savard (1979) and Saku Koivu (2002).

The local chapters of the PHWA submitted nominations for the Masterton Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season and the top three vote-getters were designated as finalists.

The winner will be announced during the 2012 NHL Awards program on June 20 in Las Vegas.