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Edmonton Oilers winger and Masterton Trophy nominee Patrick Maroon admittedly needed a history lesson on who Bill Masterton was, how he tragically died when his head hit the ice in the late 1960s while playing for the Minnesota North Stars.

Also a Cole’s Notes rundown of what the National Hockey League award is about — perseverance and dedication to hockey— and some of the players who have won it over the years. Jaromir Jagr last year, Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu and Jamie McLennan in seasons past.

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Either Hall of Famers to be with illustrious, long careers such as Jagr and Selanne or players who’ve overcome major health issues like Koivu (cancer) and McLellan (flesh-eating disease).

I’ve matured as a player, and it’s helped that I can play on a regular line every night. Patrick Maroon

“It’s actually for sportsmanship, too,” someone mentioned to Maroon.

“Me?” said Maroon, a welt on his nose after a scrap with Jarome Iginla.

Regardless, Maroon is the Oilers nominee for the award as voted on by the NHL’s Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. A 30-goal campaign is within reach for Maroon, after a career high of 12 last season split between Anaheim and Edmonton. He took it upon himself to get into better shape last summer, and he’s done that and thrived alongside Connor McDavid for much of this season.