Ilya Samsonov’s strong turnaround earns Leaf Masterton Trophy nod

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For Ilya Samsonov, the calendar year 2023 could not end fast enough.

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On the final day of December he was on NHL waivers, told to stay home and seemingly headed for an ignominious exit as a Maple Leaf and perhaps as No. 1 NHLer goaltender.

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‘He’s done, get him out of here’ was a frequent snide comment that appeared anytime the social media floor was open to fan engagement. Internally, the Leafs were ready if they had to move forward with Joseph Woll and Martin Jones as their top tandem.

What followed was a most remarkable turnaround, on and off the ice, that has restored him to the No. 1 position with playoffs about to commence.

Between Jan. 21 and this week, Samsonov’s record roared to 16-4-1 and the resurgence has earned nomination by the Toronto chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for the 2024 Bill Masterton Trophy recognizing the NHL player who best exemplifies ‘sportsmanship, perseverance and dedication to hockey’.

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Agreeing to a mental break, he got back to basics with Leaf goaltending coach Curtis Sanford and Marlies counterpart Hannu Toivonen.

“We took a couple of steps back,” Samsonov said at the time. “I’d forgot how to enjoy hockey.”

Samsonov was also frank with teammates and the media about the need to straighten himself out and how his own family was an inspiration.

It happened that his parents were visiting from Russia during the worst of his struggles and he had heart-to-hearts with his father about manning up to responsibilities with the team and — on a tenuous one-year contract — to his wife Mariya and baby son, Miroslav.

“This is the biggest piece in my life. You come back home, you’re not looking good, you’re sad or something and she sends a picture of Miro every day. It’s ‘heads up, man, we love you’.”

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Samsonov’s father, Aleksei also made an impression.

“If he has a problem in his life, he is moving forward all the time. (He says) ‘it’s easy to sit and cry or have your head down. But you have your own family now, you’re not a (young man) anymore’.”

Each of the NHL’s 32 cities nominates a Masterton candidate, the award originating in 1968 in honour of hard-working Minnesota North Star Bill Masterton who died as a result of a accidental head injury in a game.

Previous Leaf nominees have been Mark Giordano, Morgan Rielly and 2008 Masterton winner Jason Blake. The full PHWA votes on the winner as part of the NHL’s 2024 awards ceremony.

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