News Article: Paul Ranger is the Maple Leafs Masterton Nominee

[BonMorrison]

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=712439

The Toronto chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association has chosen defenceman Paul Ranger as its nominee for the 2014 Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded for ‘perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey’.

Ranger returned to the National Hockey League following almost three full seasons away for personal reasons, spending the 2012-13 season with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. A return to high-paced hockey after such a long absence is very rare in pro sports and Ranger was able to play 51 games for the Marlies and record 25 points last season.

Ranger, 29, made the decision to resume his career at the NHL level last summer and made the Leaf roster at training camp. In 49 games this season, he has four goals and eight assists.

Recent Masterton nominees from Toronto include James Reimer and Joffrey Lupul. Each NHL city’s PWHA chapter nominates a Masterton candidate and the winner is chosen from a vote of the entire PHWA at the end of the season. The Masterton is part of the league’s televised awards ceremonies, June 24 from Las Vegas.

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[Daisy Jane]

Ohoo. good for him.
I wonder if he'll win.

 

[Tak7]

"Shouldn't this award go to someone who is actually dedicated to hockey? He quit the game at one point!"



"TOTALLY DESERVED - Have to be a special kind of dedicated to hockey when you are THAT terrible and still trying"

 

[achtungbaby]

I get that it's not in the wording of the award description, but does it seem a little odd to give a guy an award for coming back from something we know nothing about?

Good for Ranger, have nothing against him.

 

[Cor]

Makes Sense.

 

[I Am The Stig]

Should go to Bernier for not wanting to quit hockey after playing behind the Leafs defense.

 

[seanlinden]

I get that it's not in the wording of the award description, but does it seem a little odd to give a guy an award for coming back from something we know nothing about?

Good for Ranger, have nothing against him.

That's the shocking thing -- that even in the Toronto spotlight, nobody has outed what his actual reasons are. The fact that nobody seems to know IMO would also prevent him from winning it.

That being said, the Leafs didn't really have anyone else who would be a likely target for this award. Maybe Bolland?

 

[Daisy Jane]

That's the shocking thing -- that even in the Toronto spotlight, nobody has outed what his actual reasons are. The fact that nobody seems to know IMO would also prevent him from winning it.

That being said, the Leafs didn't really have anyone else who would be a likely target for this award. Maybe Bolland?

to me it seems like there is an unspoken agreement that no one is going to ask, probe or whatever. and truthfully - we don't need to know.

 

[SprDaVE]

No brainer.

He's been pretty good lately. I don't think he should come out of the lineup anymore, even if we ice 6 D.

Franson should seriously be benched a game or two. The guy has just been such a dud this season.

 

[McGuiresMonsters]

Leafs were 0-6 while he was out (if you include Tampa game) 1-0 since he's been back. I wonder what the Leafs record is this year with and without him in the lineup.

 

[Ace88*]

Only makes sense. I think he'll win it.

 

[achtungbaby]

to me it seems like there is an unspoken agreement that no one is going to ask, probe or whatever. and truthfully - we don't need to know.

I don't know, if he was in prison for **** for 2 years I certainly wouldn't want him getting an award for returning to the game. I'm not saying that was the case, but we know nothing about it so it seems odd you know what I mean? There's usually some back story told with the award, what happens here?

Once again, nothing against him. This just seems like an oddity to me.

 

[selltrade]

"Shouldn't this award go to someone who is actually dedicated to hockey? He quit the game at one point!"



"TOTALLY DESERVED - Have to be a special kind of dedicated to hockey when you are THAT terrible and still trying"

wow dumb post

 

[Al14]

Should go to Bernier for not wanting to quit hockey after playing behind the Leafs defense.

I literally laughed out load! Good thing I swallowed the sip of lemon juice before I began reading this!

 

[Ari91]

That's the shocking thing -- that even in the Toronto spotlight, nobody has outed what his actual reasons are. The fact that nobody seems to know IMO would also prevent him from winning it.

That being said, the Leafs didn't really have anyone else who would be a likely target for this award. Maybe Bolland?

I don't think it's been outed because no one but Ranger and perhaps those close to him know the real reason. What's perhaps more surprising that the media hasn't constantly asked him the question in hopes of getting it out of them. I'd like to think it's out of respect of his decision to not talk about it but if this were Kessel or Kadri I don't think it would apply the same way.

Don't think he's winning it but it was the most sensible pick this year for the Leafs.

 

[calcal798]

wow dumb post

I think Tak7 was trying to do an inb4 post, predicting what some people would say.

 

[calcal798]

That's the shocking thing -- that even in the Toronto spotlight, nobody has outed what his actual reasons are. The fact that nobody seems to know IMO would also prevent him from winning it.

That being said, the Leafs didn't really have anyone else who would be a likely target for this award. Maybe Bolland?

With him being nominated it could potentially be accompanied by him outing what the actual reasons are. It's up to him thou, they are personal reasons, and sometimes somethings are best left unknown.

 

[Tak7]

I think Tak7 was trying to do an inb4 post, predicting what some people would say.

 

[ACC1224]

This was the obvious choice the moment he made the Team.

 

[MakeTheIronSing]

Good for him man, that is a feel good story. Congrats to Paul!

 

[Tak7]

Think it was Sportsnet's Reporter Chris Johnston who said once he went down in the game against Tampa recently, that in the pre-season when Paul Ranger was signed to the contract, Paul cried because he was so grateful to have the chance to play in the National Hockey League again.

100% feel good story.

 

[selltrade]

ahhh my apologies

 

[Daisy Jane]

Think it was Sportsnet's Reporter Chris Johnston who said once he went down in the game against Tampa recently, that in the pre-season when Paul Ranger was signed to the contract, Paul cried because he was so grateful to have the chance to play in the National Hockey League again.

100% feel good story.

yah i remember that.
i hope we sign him long term (on a cheap contract)

 

[TootooTrain]

Most genuine interview in the league. Almost never used cliches. Honest, straight forward guy. Hope he wins it.

 

[EdBelfour20]

I like Ranger. Keep him.