Gabriel Landeskog’s family hid the Masterton Trophy surprise at his home, wrapping it in months of memories from a three-season absence and a comeback shaped by four knee surgeries, including a cartilage replacement. The Avalanche captain was also honored with
Gabriel Landeskog sat down at his home to talk about what winning the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award meant to him. For a moment, it was supposed to be a regular interview—one he could handle with the steadiness of a captain who has seen plenty of pressure.
Instead, the surprise came anyway.
“I’ve been very sneaky,” his wife Melissa said. “It’s been really hard to keep it from him because I’m obviously just so excited about it.”
Landeskog didn’t know what was coming. He had been preparing to talk about leadership. He wasn’t prepared for the Masterton Trophy—an award given annually to the player who exemplifies perseverance—and the way it was delivered right where his family could make sure the moment landed.
The Avalanche captain’s path to that night had been anything but smooth. He was out of action for three full regular seasons after the forward played through an injury during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. when Colorado won the Stanley Cup. He went through four knee surgeries. He also became the first NHL player to return after having knee cartilage replacement surgery. doing so for the Avalanche’s postseason opener in 2025.
Melissa didn’t try to soften what those years looked like. She said she believes the Masterton Award fits the last three years of his life because of what it took to keep moving forward.
“The Masterton Award is for a player who exudes the most perseverance. and I think it definitely relates to Gabe’s past three years. ” Melissa said. “I don’t think he thought he was going to be able to come back. but he just loves the game so much. loves his team. (he) didn’t want to give up. He wasn’t ready yet. He just worked really hard. He pulled through somehow. Just so proud of him.”.
On the ice this season, Landeskog helped Colorado win the Presidents’ Trophy for having the best record in the NHL (55-16-11). In the 60 games he played, it was 45-7-8; in the 22 games he was unavailable, it was 10-9-3.
When he spoke to a reporter after winning the Messier Award, he made his focus larger than himself. Even with the “C” on his chest, he described leadership as something shared.
“Even though I’m the one wearing the ‘C’ on my chest. it’s leadership by committee. ” Landeskog told a reporter interviewing him on winning the Messier Award. presented annually to the player who exemplifies 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. “Everybody is needed to make a room function and make a locker room pull to the same direction. so I’ll be sharing this award with the guys for sure.”.
The moment of recognition carried weight long before he understood its timing. Afterward, Landeskog received an iPad with a message from his doctor, Dr. Matthew Jordan, teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, along with Melissa and Landeskog’s father, Tony.
Makar’s message landed close to the fear that had hung over those years.
“It was very hard to see you at your lowest and I can’t even imagine how difficult it truly was for you and your family,” Makar said. “But somehow, you still managed to be a part of our team, be a leader and continue to show up every single day with a positive mindset and an even better attitude.”
Landeskog missed a month of the season with broken ribs in January. Despite that, he finished the regular season with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) and added 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 13 playoff games.
His comeback didn’t stay inside the NHL either. He captained Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he had four points (two goals, two assists) in five games.
Tony spoke to what others didn’t always see, pushing back against the skepticism that followed his injury history.
“There were lots of people that (were) skeptical if you were ever going to come back to the game. ” Tony said. “But you didn’t care about that. You just kept on working. People don’t understand how much effort you have put into it, and you are amazing. You’re such an inspiration for so many people — not only athletes, even other people. I just want to say I’m so proud. I love you.”.
After the video message, Landeskog was asked to turn around. That’s when his wife and their three children were waiting. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame was also there holding the Masterton Trophy.
“I was just oblivious to the fact of anything,” Landeskog said. “Everything I had heard about the Masterton was that it was going to be in a couple of weeks. And even when (the reporter) handed me the iPad and people were talking about resilience and my journey, it still didn’t really clue in.”
Even then, the award only slowly began to settle in.
“I’d be lying to you if I told you the Masterton hadn’t crossed my mind at some point. The amount of people that have helped me along the way. and especially my family — especially Melissa. Linnea. and Luke and Ella — came to join us last year after I had made a comeback. but there’s been lots of people that have helped me along the way.
“You get nowhere in this life by yourself, you truly don’t. Very appreciative, and this is to all of them as well.”
Landeskog’s hockey story has always carried big moments. He was the No. 2 pick by Colorado in the 2011 NHL Draft and has been captain since Sept. 4, 2012. He was also a finalist for the Masterton last season.
For MacKinnon, the point wasn’t only the award—it was the grind that had taken shape across three years.
“Just wanted to say how happy I am for you, man,” MacKinnon said. “Watching you grind for three years to come back. I’m so honored to be your teammate.”
The Masterton Trophy isn’t just a personal honor. A $2,500 grant from the Professional Hockey Writers Association is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minnesota, in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner.
Melissa brought the conversation back to the hardest part: how close it was to becoming a goodbye.
“It would have been so easy for you to just quit, to hang up the skates and just be done,” Melissa said. “But you didn’t. The mental toughness it took for you to keep going is something that I will admire about you for the rest of my life.
“I’m so proud of you and watching you come back has been one of the greatest joys for me and for our kids.”
Gabriel Landeskog Colorado Avalanche Masterton Trophy Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award perseverance knee cartilage replacement surgery Nathan MacKinnon Cale Makar Melissa Landeskog Presidents' Trophy