Senators goalie Craig Anderson nominated for Masterton trophy

Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson has been nominated for the 2016-17 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The trophy is awarded annually to theNHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication toice hockey.

The Ottawa chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association announced the choice Monday, saying in a statement that Anderson has had a strong season despite his wife Nicholle being diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer in late October.

Anderson left the team briefly, but returned for an Oct. 30 match in Edmonton after backup goalie Andrew Hammond suffered a groin injury. He made 37 stops in the 2-0 shutout win.

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"Since then, it's been a difficult rollercoaster ride for Anderson and his family. He left the team in early December to be at Nicholle's side while she underwent treatment for her cancer at a New York-based facility and came back after the all-star break," the statement reads.

"On March 11, his 4-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche allowed him to set the franchise record for wins with 147 which moved him one ahead of Patrick Lalime (146), plus Anderson played the 500th game of his NHL career on Saturday in Montreal.Through everything that's happening away from the ice, the rink has looked like it has served as an escape for Anderson."