This past Thursday, Jason Blake was awarded the 2008 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This trophy is awarded to the player who best represents the spirt of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Blake is the first Maple Leaf to every win this award.
He kind of had one of his better seasons. We all have cancer cells in our body. Blake actually had the courage to publicly fight his battle. His physical condition made him try that much harder. Good job Blake!
Should Blake stay with the Leafs? He scored 15 goals in 82 games. The season before he scored 40 goals? Perhaps the cancer drugs were harming him more than cancer.
This guy is definitely an example for others in the league and any one else who may have a serious illness. He is definitely a fighter and I think 2009 will be his season!
George
If his cancer treatment is over then he could bounce back and be as good, if not better than ever. Cancer is one disease where the treatment is often harder to live with than the illness, at least in the earlier stages.
I think its awesome they still hand out things like this rather that just who's the most popular and so on. Really shows that some still respect the game and not just all the money that can come along with it.
That is very well possible on the cancer note as it effects different people different ways. As for him staying or going I'm not really sure but I do know he had to be over joyed with being the first Leaf to get this.
I definitely think his treatment had something to do with it and think he is setting one hell of an example for not only kids but for other players throughout the league. Anyone fighting cancer I'm sure is getting inspiration from him.
Smitty
