Playing in only 47 games this season, Joe Thornton amassed 13 goals, 23 assists and 75 shots on goal in 18:20 minutes of ice time per game. At the time of his injury, he ranked second on the team in points (36) and penalty minutes (38), third in assists, and was tied for second in goals. His time on ice was second amongst forwards, trailing only Joe Pavelski.

SAN JOSE, CA - The San Jose chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association announced today that San Jose Sharks ( @SanJoseSharks ) center Joe Thornton has been selected as its 2018 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.

Since joining the Sharks during the 2005-06 season, "Jumbo" has registered 228 goals, 745 assists and a plus-172 rating in 961 games. He is the Sharks all-time leader in assists and plus-minus rating, and ranks second in games played and points (973) on the franchise's scoring list. Only Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby have scored more points in the NHL since Joe Thornton arrived in San Jose.

Entering the league in 1997, Joe Thornton has been one of the most prolific scorers in the NHL. In 1493 career games, he has recorded 397 goals, 1030 assists and a plus-197 rating. He ranks 12th on the NHL's all-time assist list (second amongst active players) and 16th on the NHL's all-time points list (1427).

The 38-year-old is a six-time all-star (2002-04, 2007-09), and won both the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy during the 2005-06 season. Drafted first overall during the 1997 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins, he has represented Canada on numerous occasions, most recently winning the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

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 at the NHL's annual awards presentation in Las Vegas.