Award season is getting underway with the Bill Masterton Trophy nominees being announced on Wednesday morning. Each team has one nomination spot for this trophy.
The Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey, is often accompanied by difficult or tragic personal circumstances. It serves as a way to acknowledge the strength and mental fortitude exhibited by players as they progress through their lives.
The Edmonton Oilers nominee will be goaltender Connor Ingram. Ingram previously won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2024.
Connor Ingram’s journey back to the NHL
Back in 2021, Ingram had revealed that he was living with OCD and depression for years, which contributed to an alcohol addiction. At this point, he had entered the NHL Player Assistance program to receive help and treatment. On his return, he spent a couple of seasons rebuilding his career leading to a successful season with the Arizona Coyotes in which he played a career high 50 games and won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2023–24.
Unfortunately, Ingram had to battle through more personal struggles and re-entered the player assistance program in March 2025. He was deemed eligible to play again in August before he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Ingram spent the first few months of the season with the Bakersfield Condors readjusting and finding his feet before being recalled by the Oilers in December. He has since stood out as a stabilizing presence in net as he is the team’s number one goalie heading into the playoffs.
