Philly Leader

The Professional Hockey Writers Association's Philadelphia chapter has put forth Ivan Fedotov, goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers, as a nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the 2024-25 season. The award is a tribute to players in the National Hockey League who demonstrate perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Fedotov, aged 28, joined the Flyers after several seasons away from the NHL stage. Originally drafted by the Flyers in 2015 in the seventh round, Fedotov has persevered through a long journey to secure a spot in the league. This season, he played in 25 games, starting 23, and recorded a 6-13-3 record.

Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere stated, "Ivan is an ideal choice to represent the Flyers as the Masterton nominee. He never gave up on his dream... it is the level of resiliency he displays...that continues to impress me, the coaches, and his teammates."

Fedotov himself shared, "This is a surprise to me... it’s just a good, good feeling. It’s been my dream all time to play in the NHL."

Before his current tenure with the Flyers, Fedotov spent seven seasons across the Kontinental Hockey League and the Vysshaya Hockey League. His notable season in 2021-22 in the KHL earned him the title of Best Goaltender and a place on the KHL First All-Star Team. Internationally, he was part of the Russian Olympic Committee and achieved a silver medal at the 2022 Olympic Games.

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is named in honor of Bill Masterton, a player renowned for his qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication, who passed away in 1968. Each NHL club's PHWA chapter nominates a player for the Masterton, and winners are chosen by a poll from the PHWA's 32 chapters at the season's conclusion.

The Philadelphia Flyers have a history of players winning this award, with four previous recipients. Recent nominees include Sean Couturier for 2023-24 and Nick Seeler for the 2022-23 season.