Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding receives Masterton award

There was no Viva Las Vegas for the NHL.

The league’s awards gala -- based in Las Vegas the last few years -- was a casualty of the lockout, so the NHL is handing out its awards over two days during the Stanley Cup Final.

Still, there was a major emotional component to the first batch of awards Friday. Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the fall, won the Masterton Trophy. It is given each year to the player best exemplifying the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Harding has started a charity for individuals with MS. The website, recently launched, is https://www.hardingshope.org.

The award honors the late Bill Masterton of the Minnesota North Stars, who died in 1968 after suffering a head injury in a game against the visiting Oakland Seals.

“All year was a battle, a lot of ups and downs,” Harding told the NHL Network. “I couldn’t thank the people that have supported me and been on my team since I got diagnosed. ...Everybody had a part in this and I couldn’t be more honored.”

Other winners Friday were Ottawa’s Paul MacLean for the Jack Adams Award (coach of the year); Pittsburgh’s Ray Shero for general manager of the year; Tampa Bay forward Martin St. Louis for the Lady Byng (gentlemanly play); Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson for the Mark Messier Leadership Award; and Chicago captain Jonathan Toews for the Selke Trophy (top defensive forward).

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau finished third in the Adams voting and his boss, Bob Murray was second to Shero in the general manager voting. Kings captain Dustin Brown was a finalist for the Messier Award. Additionally, Kings center Anze Kopitar was fourth in Selke voting, up from ninth a year ago.

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