Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello, who suffered a fractured skull in last season’s playoffs and briefly lost the ability to speak, was named one of three finalists for the Bill Masterton Trophy.
The 28-year-old Norwegian recovered to have a banner season, with 26 goals and 61 points, after being struck by a shot from teammate Ryan McDonagh during the first-round series against the Penguins a year ago.
The other finalists, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, are Florida’s Jaromir Jagr and Pittsburgh’s Pascal Dupuis.
VoteRangers 2016-17: Keep 'em or dump 'em?
The trophy, first presented in 1968, is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey
Rangers forward Dominic Moore won the trophy in 2014.
..... - Newsday