Robin Lehner‘s Bill Masterton Trophy is the icing on a career season on and off the ice for the New York Islanders.
To nobody’s surprise, Robin Lehner took home the Bill Masterton Trophy which perfectly encapsulates the life-changing year the goaltender had.His story inspired all of us.@RobinLehner is your 2019 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner for exemplifying perserverence, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. #NHLAwards https://t.co/zVMjNbDXaf
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 20, 2019
Last year, Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders took a chance on the William M. Jennings co-owner. Robin Lehner went public about his mental health issues and his struggles with addiction and emerged with a career season and a better human being because of it.
In his acceptance speech, Lehner highlighted the two big factors behind his career-changing comeback — Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz.
“Wow, thank you. Everybody who voted for me. My fantastic wife, who stuck this out with me. So many people to thank. I want to thank the New York Islanders organization. Lou, you’ve been amazing. Barry Trotz for thinking about the human first, I’ve got to respect that.”
Many of the Islanders who stay, whether short-term or long-term, always attest to how tight-knit this team is.
No more has that been apparent than the circumstances surrounding Lehner’s revitalization. Most fans — Islanders or otherwise — chalk it up to personal bias, but there is living proof of how a true team can help a person achieve their true potential.
“I’m not ashamed to say I’m mentally ill, but that doesn’t mean mentally weak."
Robin Lehner's Bill Masterton Trophy acceptance speech was powerful. ? #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/BuhJE7UBz4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 20, 2019
After both Lehner and Thomas Greiss shared the William M. Jennings trophy, Lehner received additional nominations for the Masterton and Vezina trophies.
The NHL Awards are being broadcast live on the NHL Network.
