43 – Number of points on the season for Joel Ward, who has already set a career high in that statistic. Perhaps more importantly (especially in the grand scheme of this season), Ward is the Capitals‘ nominee for the 2013-14 Masterton Trophy. Congrats to Ward on his great season on and off the ice.
Via the team:
The Washington chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association selected Joel Ward as its nominee for the 2013-14 Bill Masterton Trophy. The Masterton Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player best exemplifying the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Ward has set new career highs in points (43), goals (22) and power-play goals (6) this season, and matched his career high for assists (21). Ward is active with the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Program (FDIHP), development program that provides local and inner-city youth in Washington, D.C., the opportunity to participate in an organized ice hockey program. Ward practiced with children from the Fort Dupont Kids on Ice and Cannons programs and presented the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Program with a $12,000 check on behalf of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation in February. Ward and the Capitals face the New Jersey Devils tonight at Prudential Center.
For more on Ward’s nomination, head over to CSN Washington.