Chelios among Masterton finalists

Detroit defenseman Chris Chelios, Nashville left wing Steve Sullivan and Florida right wing Richard Zednik are the finalists for the NHL award for perseverance.

All three players overcame serious injuries to return to the NHL and on Thursday were listed as candidates for the Bill Masterton Trophy, given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.

Chelios this season became the third person to play 25 seasons in the NHL but he missed the first 28 games of the schedule when he broke a bone in his leg while blocking a shot during the pre-season. At 47, he is the oldest player in the NHL.

Sullivan returned to the lineup Jan 10 nearly 700 days after he suffered a fragmented spinal disc in a game. He played 41 games this season, scoring 11 goals and assisting on 21 others.

Zednik had his carotid artery severed by a teammate’s skate in February 2008. He lost 5 pints of blood before reaching surgery and missed the rest of the season but returned in 2008-09 and scored 17 goals and had 16 assists.

The Masterton Trophy winner will be determined by a vote of Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and will be among awards given June 18.