SAN JOSE - The San Jose chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association announced today that San Jose Sharks defenseman Scott Hannan has been selected as its 2015 nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The Masterton Trophy is awarded each season under the trusteeship of the PHWA to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Hannan's career has spanned three calendar decades, 16 seasons, five organizations, 1,055 games, and numerous changes to the NHL rulebook. The 35-year old native of Richmond, British Columbia was drafted 23rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and, after stints with four other organizations across North America, returned to the Sharks on April 3, 2013 when he was acquired via trade from Nashville.

In 1,055 career games, Hannan has registered 217 points (38 goals, 179 assists), a plus-two rating, 625 penalty minutes, and has played 11 seasons where he dressed for 75 or more games. In addition, Hannan has played 626 games for the Sharks, ranking 6th in franchise history for games played and 7th in plus/minus (+43). Amongst all franchise defensemen, Hannan ranks 7th overall in total points (146 points).

Hannan has appeared in 100 postseason contests throughout his career, registering 21 points (one goal, 20 assists), a +15 rating, and 93 penalty minutes. 76 of those games have come with San Jose, ranking Hannan 5th in franchise history for postseason games played (2nd all-time amongst defensemen).

This season Hannan played in his 1,000th NHL game on Oct. 14 at Washington, becoming only the sixth player from his 1997 NHL Draft class to reach the 1,000 game mark.

The Masterton Trophy winner is selected from a poll of the 30 chapters of the PHWA at the end of the regular season and a $2,500 grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minn., in the name of the winner.

The PHWA first presented the Masterton Trophy in 1968 to commemorate the late Bill Masterton, a player with the Minnesota North Stars, who exhibited to a high degree, the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Masterton died Jan. 15, 1968 following an injury suffered in a game.

Former Shark Tony Granato received the award in 1997. This year's winner will be named on June 24th at the NHL's annual awards presentation in Las Vegas.