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<p class="" data-start="398" data-end="705">Winnipeg Jets defenceman Neal Pionk has been named the team’s nominee for the 2024-25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected by the <a href="https://www.thephwa.com">Professional Hockey Writers’ Association</a> (PHWA).</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Winnipeg Chapter of <a href="https://twitter.com/ThePHWA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThePHWA</a> is pleased to announce that Jets D Neal Pionk has been chosen as our nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.</p>
<p>&mdash; Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) <a href="https://twitter.com/WiebesWorld/status/1910011891944239429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p class="" data-start="707" data-end="917">The 29-year-old earned the Winnipeg Chapter&#8217;s nomination after enduring the tragic loss of his best friend and former college teammate, Adam Johnson, who passed away last year following a freak on-ice accident.</p>
<p class="" data-start="919" data-end="1122">&#8220;It&#8217;s a prestigious honour,&#8221; Pionk said. &#8220;Obviously, a lot of guys have gone through some stuff, and I&#8217;ve certainly had loss in my life in the last year. I just thank the guys for helping me through it.&#8221;</p>
<p class="" data-start="1124" data-end="1406">Pionk has appeared in 66 games this season, recording 37 points (9G, 28A), and 44 penalty minutes in another solid offensive campaign. He’s currently sidelined with a lower-body injury but is considered a game-time decision for Thursday’s pivotal matchup against the Dallas Stars.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1408" data-end="1527">Reflecting on the past year, Pionk opened up about the lasting impact of grief and the importance of continued support.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1529" data-end="1837">&#8220;The first initial shock of it is tough. Tough for everyone,” he said. “Where it gets really hard is when the noise settles down. I try to keep reaching out to his family, even recently. Everyone reaches out right away, but eventually things get quiet—and that&#8217;s when you have to regroup and be there again.&#8221;</p>
<p class="" data-start="1839" data-end="1981">Over his NHL career, Pionk has played 533 games between the Jets and New York Rangers, tallying 254 points (43G, 211A), and 296 penalty minutes.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1983" data-end="2373">“The situation that happened last season was extremely hard on him,” a team source said. “But he managed to find a way to play through it. He spent time with the Johnson family over the summer, visited Adam’s wife&#8230; It’s been incredibly difficult, especially when he’s not playing hockey, but Neal’s handled everything with professionalism and grace. He’s truly honoured to be recognized.”</p>
<p class="" data-start="2375" data-end="2499">Each of the NHL’s 32 teams has submitted a nominee. Three finalists will be named, and the winner will be announced in June.</p>
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<p data-start="398" data-end="705"><em class="text-lg italic">Follow us on our Jets Nation socials! X/Twitter: <a class="text-accent" href="https://x.com/NHLJetsNation" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@NHLJetsNation</a> and on Instagram: <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.instagram.com/jetsnationdotca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@JetsNationDotCa</a></em></p>
<p class="" data-start="398" data-end="705">Winnipeg Jets defenceman Neal Pionk has been named the team’s nominee for the 2024-25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. The winner is selected by the <a href="https://www.thephwa.com">Professional Hockey Writers’ Association</a> (PHWA).</p>
https://twitter.com/WiebesWorld/status/1910011891944239429
<p class="" data-start="707" data-end="917">The 29-year-old earned the Winnipeg Chapter's nomination after enduring the tragic loss of his best friend and former college teammate, Adam Johnson, who passed away last year following a freak on-ice accident.</p>
<p class="" data-start="919" data-end="1122">"It's a prestigious honour," Pionk said. "Obviously, a lot of guys have gone through some stuff, and I've certainly had loss in my life in the last year. I just thank the guys for helping me through it."</p>
<p class="" data-start="1124" data-end="1406">Pionk has appeared in 66 games this season, recording 37 points (9G, 28A), and 44 penalty minutes in another solid offensive campaign. He’s currently sidelined with a lower-body injury but is considered a game-time decision for Thursday’s pivotal matchup against the Dallas Stars.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1408" data-end="1527">Reflecting on the past year, Pionk opened up about the lasting impact of grief and the importance of continued support.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1529" data-end="1837">"The first initial shock of it is tough. Tough for everyone,” he said. “Where it gets really hard is when the noise settles down. I try to keep reaching out to his family, even recently. Everyone reaches out right away, but eventually things get quiet—and that's when you have to regroup and be there again."</p>
<p class="" data-start="1839" data-end="1981">Over his NHL career, Pionk has played 533 games between the Jets and New York Rangers, tallying 254 points (43G, 211A), and 296 penalty minutes.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1983" data-end="2373">“The situation that happened last season was extremely hard on him,” a team source said. “But he managed to find a way to play through it. He spent time with the Johnson family over the summer, visited Adam’s wife... It’s been incredibly difficult, especially when he’s not playing hockey, but Neal’s handled everything with professionalism and grace. He’s truly honoured to be recognized.”</p>
<p class="" data-start="2375" data-end="2499">Each of the NHL’s 32 teams has submitted a nominee. Three finalists will be named, and the winner will be announced in June.</p>

<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold"><strong class="text-lg font-bold">PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS </strong></h2>
<div><a class="text-accent" href="https://bit.ly/3RoCyMQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img class="w-full" src="https://i0.wp.com/publish.jetsnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/toyita.jpg?resize=715%2C278&amp;ssl=1" alt="" /></a></div>
<div><b>This article is sponsored by your Prairie Toyota Dealers. JetsNation is for the
fans, by the fans! Enter now for your chance to win Jets jerseys autographed by
Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck – plus assorted Jets merchandise. It’s a
prize worth $960.00 CDN! To enter, click this link now: <a class="text-accent" href="https://bit.ly/3RoCyMQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://bit.ly/3RoCyMQ</a></b></div>
<div>Browse inventory, schedule a test drive and experience your dream Toyota today
at <a class="text-accent" href="http://shoptoyota.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">shoptoyota.ca</a></div>
<div><b>(Open to residents of AB, SK and MB of age of majority / Contest closes April 23,
2025 / Retail value: $960.00 CDN / Full rules at entry link)</b></div>

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