Mike Reilly Nominated for Masterton Trophy After Heart Surgery

Mike Reilly of the New York Islanders has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which recognizes players for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication in hockey. Reilly's nomination comes after he underwent heart surgery to address a previously undiagnosed condition discovered during evaluations following a concussion on November 1. He successfully returned to play on March 16, contributing to the team after a challenging period that included missing 54 games. Reilly expressed gratitude for the support he received from the Islanders organization and emphasized his optimistic outlook throughout his recovery. The Islanders have had three previous winners of the Masterton Trophy: Ed Westfall, Mark Fitzpatrick, and Robin Lehner. Coach Patrick Roy commended Reilly's resilience and hard work during his recovery process.