The NHL announced on Friday that Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner is one of the three finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually "to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."

Columbus' Nick Foligno and San Jose's Joe Thornton are the other finalists for the Masterton. It'd be a surprise if Lehner didn't get the award.

In September, Lehner revealed in a piece for The Athletic that he had been addicted to drugs and alcohol and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. On April 6, Lehner wrote in a note posted on his Twitter account that he'd been sober for one year.

The Islanders signed Lehner to a one-year, $1.5 million contract and was outstanding in a goaltending duo with Thomas Greiss. In 46 games (43 starts,) Lehner had 25 wins with a .930 save percentage, second-best in the NHL, and a 2.13 GAA, third-best in the league.

Both goalies won the Jennings Trophy as goaltenders appearing in at least 25 games for the team which allowed the fewest goals in the NHL, a remarkable achievement after the Isles allowed the most goals in the league last season.

"It wouldn't have been possible without all the pieces around me, starting from my family and friends and going throughout this whole team," Lehner said, according to Newsday. "The relationship between me and Greisser, pushing each other, supporting each other."

Popular in the Community