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Lightning's Tyler Johnson gets Masterton nomination

 
Published April 3, 2015

OTTAWA — Center Tyler Johnson took an unlikely path to becoming an All-Star this season, having gone undrafted and even getting cut by a USHL team.

But that journey earned Johnson, 24, a nomination for the Masterton Trophy, awarded to the NHL player that best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

The Tampa Bay area chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association nominated Johnson as the Lightning representative for the award. All 30 teams make nominees; the full association votes for the winner. Three finalists will be named this month, with the winner announced in June.

"The award is given to some great players out there, that have had to go through a lot, so to get nominated, it's really special," Johnson said. "It's an honor. But there's a lot more guys in the league that deserve it more than I do."

Johnson ranks second on the Lightning with 67 points (26 goals, 41 assists) and is among the league leaders in plus-minus at plus-32. He centers one of the league's most productive and dynamic lines, the "Triplets."

"His story has been told a million times — how he was undrafted, and the list goes on and on," coach Jon Cooper said. "Time and time again the door shuts in the face, he has to open it. Not only he's charging through the door, but he wins. When the season ends, he's usually raising a trophy over his head."