Sean Monahan Wins Masterton After Tragedy

Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan has been awarded the 2024-25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, becoming the first player in franchise history to receive the honor for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Monahan joined Columbus to reunite with longtime friend and former teammate Johnny Gaudreau, but both Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by an alleged drunk driver last August. Despite the tragedy, Monahan posted 57 points in 54 games, demonstrating remarkable leadership and resilience throughout the season. Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny's widow, presented the award to Monahan in an emotional ceremony. The Professional Hockey Writers Association, which votes on the award, honored Monahan further by donating $2,500 in his name to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund. Other finalists included Marc-Andre Fleury of the Minnesota Wild and Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche.