The Toronto Maple Leafs have selected veteran forward John Tavares as their nominee for the 2025 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, according to a report by Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.
The Masterton Trophy honors the NHL player who best demonstrates perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Each NHL team puts forward one nominee, with the final winner chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Toronto’s local PHWA chapter selected Tavares for his continued impact on and off the ice.
Now in his 16th NHL season and playing out the final year of the seven-year, $77 million deal he signed in 2018, the 34-year-old has remained a consistent leader and contributor for the Leafs. Despite handing off the captaincy to Auston Matthews this season, Tavares continues to be a vital part of the team’s core.
“I just love what I do,” Tavares said. “I still feel like a kid every day getting to play the game I fell in love with.”
Through 70 games this season, Tavares has tallied 71 points, with 37 goals and 34 assists. He currently sits second on the team in goals and recently surpassed the 1,100-point milestone in his career.
He credits his sustained success to the work he puts in off the ice, including extra shooting drills and skating work with team consultants. Speaking about stepping away from the captaincy, Tavares emphasized that it hasn’t changed his mindset or approach.
“There’s a lot of thought behind it,” he said. “But I didn’t view it as something that would change who I am or how I lead.”
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz was also reportedly in the running as a potential nominee. The last Maple Leaf to win the Masterton was Jason Blake in 2008.
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