Wild goalie Josh Harding has been named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, according to Wild.com.
The trophy is presented annually to “the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
Wild, 28, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis this year, and spent a long stretch on the Injured Reserve list as he tried to figure out the right set of medications to take. When he did come back, Harding filled in for the injured Niklas Backstrom in Minnesota’s first-round playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Harding started all five games in the series, saving 126-of-135 shots over a nine-day stretch.
The Masterton award is named for former Minnesota North Stars forward Bill Masterton, who is the only player in NHL history to die as a result of injuries suffered on the ice.
The other finalists are Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh and Adam McQuaid of Boston.
