Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog was presented with the Mark Messier Leadership Award and the Masterton Memorial Trophy on Tuesday, becoming the first player to win both in the same season after a long recovery from a serious knee injury.
DENVER — Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog learned he was going to win the Masterton Memorial Trophy only when the moment finally arrived.
The 33-year-old forward celebrated the two awards on Tuesday with his wife and young kids, his wife playing a key role in keeping the honor quiet until the trophy was revealed in a video posted by the NHL.
Landeskog’s performance and his character earned him both the Mark Messier Leadership Award and the Masterton Memorial Trophy in the same season—something no player had done before.
The Masterton Trophy is awarded to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance. sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” The Messier Award goes to the player who demonstrates “great leadership qualities to his team. on and off the ice. during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.”.
His road back to the rink wasn’t quick. Landeskog’s knee problems began after a skate blade cut his right knee during the 2020 playoffs in the Edmonton bubble. He worked his way through the injury and helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup title in 2022.
But the Cup came with a price—his last game for a long stretch. After missing a full season, Landeskog underwent cartilage replacement surgery on May 10, 2023.
When he returned, it was still a long way to go. Landeskog came back last season for Game 3 of the playoffs against Dallas, his first NHL contest in 1,032 days.
This season, he produced at a level that matched the comeback story. Landeskog finished the regular season with 14 goals and 21 assists over 60 games. Colorado went 45-7-8 with him in the lineup and 10-9-3 when he was out. In the playoffs. he added six goals and five assists. though the Avalanche were swept in the Western Conference Final by Vegas.
The awards didn’t come only from what happened on the ice. Landeskog has stayed visible in the community. taking part in Kroenke Sports and Entertainment’s (KSE) Charity Brunch and leading the team’s annual hospital visit. He also hosts several local foundations through the team’s “Community Ticket Pride” program.
His recovery itself became part of the public record. Landeskog’s knee rehabilitation was documented in a six-part documentary series titled “A Clean Sheet.”
The Masterton Trophy has been awarded by the NHL Writers’ Association since 1967-68. The Mark Messier Leadership Award debuted in 2006-07.
On Tuesday, the captain who had to fight for every step back stood before the league and the people who supported him—reminded, in a single day, how rare a full-circle return can be.
Gabriel Landeskog Colorado Avalanche Mark Messier Leadership Award Masterton Memorial Trophy NHL awards knee injury recovery Stanley Cup 2022 Edmonton bubble 2020 playoffs A Clean Sheet documentary
knee injuries are no joke wow
So he won both awards in the same season?? I didn’t even know that was possible. Wife had to keep it quiet until the video? NHL is so dramatic lol
Wait I thought Mark Messier was like a player from the 90s so how is he getting an award now? Also “cartilage replacement” sounds like surgery talk I’m not gonna understand. Either way good for him, but knee cuts in the bubble?? I blame the skate companies or something
The fact they said he won the Masterton for perseverance… makes sense, but like, what about all the other guys who come back from injuries? Seems like the NHL picks favorites sometimes. Also I saw a clip on Facebook about the video reveal and I was like “wait is that it” lol. Congrats to Landeskog though, the community growing hockey part is probably why they gave him both