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Jesper Bratt is the New Jersey Devils nominee for the 2024-25 Bill Masterton Trophy.
The trophy is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game. It is voted on by members of each chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). One player is appointed as a nominee for each of the 32 teams.
The 26-year-old is in the midst of a career season, collecting 88 points (21 goals, 67 assists). On March 22, Bratt picked up an assist on Nico Hischier's 30th goal of the season to set the franchise record for most in a season (61 assists), passing Scott Stevens (60 in 1993-94).
"It means a lot," Bratt said of the nomination. "It is a very nice recognition, and I am very thankful. I think that it gives me a receipt of what I have done, my hard work, and how much I want this team, this organization, and myself to succeed and get better and better every year. I am very, very thankful and very proud of it."
To fully understand Bratt's dedication to his craft and the game of hockey, you must speak with those closest to him: his coach, teammates, and fiancée, Nicole Laud.
"Before you get into the on-ice abilities, what I have come to learn and respect is how committed he is to his craft," Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe told The Hockey News. "He is very diligent about taking care of his body, whether it is time in the gym, his diet, maintenance, treatment, and all that sort of stuff, to make sure he is at his best every day."
"Everything carries over into everyday life," Laud shared. "His recovery is super important. Every night, it is red light, cold tub, and sauna. Of course, his diet as well. He pays a lot of attention to what he eats. It is all very important to him."
In addition to taking care of his physical well-being, Bratt spends an immense amount of time working on the mental side of the game with his mental skills coach, Andy Swärd.
"All the things that come on the ice have come from what I have been doing off the ice, and Swärd has been a huge part of my career," Bratt said to The Hockey News. "We still talk before every single game. It does not have to be a serious talk or anything like that. It can just be a normal chit-chat and keeping ourselves updated with the latest mental game plan. It has been huge for me, and I don't know if I would have been getting this edge without his help."
Bratt's durability has been a talking point that has flown under the radar as the young Swede has not missed a game since April 24, 2022, a benefit of his off-ice dedication.
"Sometimes there is some kind of luck to it, but I try to maintain my body as well as I possibly can, to always give myself a chance to be in my top shape," Bratt said in an exclusive interview. "Even when an injury comes up when you really take care of yourself and do all the right things, your body gets pretty fast at healing stuff, too. That has been a key for me, constantly evolving and constantly getting better, and making sure that I give myself the chance to be 100 percent."
It aligns with Nico Hischier telling The Hockey News that Bratt has a purpose for everything he does.
"He always has a plan," Hischier said. "He knows exactly, every day, what he comes in here for, and what he wants to work on. He has his routine. He takes care of himself."
At the time of publication, the Swede is 10th in the NHL with points and fourth in assists. From a sixth-round pick, Bratt's dedication and commitment to the game of hockey have catapulted him to one of the League's best and a key player for New Jersey.
Award voters from all 32 PHWA chapters will select three finalists for the Masterton. The winner will be revealed at a later date.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes
EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog
Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'
Continue reading...
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The trophy is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game. It is voted on by members of each chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). One player is appointed as a nominee for each of the 32 teams.
The 26-year-old is in the midst of a career season, collecting 88 points (21 goals, 67 assists). On March 22, Bratt picked up an assist on Nico Hischier's 30th goal of the season to set the franchise record for most in a season (61 assists), passing Scott Stevens (60 in 1993-94).
"It means a lot," Bratt said of the nomination. "It is a very nice recognition, and I am very thankful. I think that it gives me a receipt of what I have done, my hard work, and how much I want this team, this organization, and myself to succeed and get better and better every year. I am very, very thankful and very proud of it."
To fully understand Bratt's dedication to his craft and the game of hockey, you must speak with those closest to him: his coach, teammates, and fiancée, Nicole Laud.
"Before you get into the on-ice abilities, what I have come to learn and respect is how committed he is to his craft," Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe told The Hockey News. "He is very diligent about taking care of his body, whether it is time in the gym, his diet, maintenance, treatment, and all that sort of stuff, to make sure he is at his best every day."
"Everything carries over into everyday life," Laud shared. "His recovery is super important. Every night, it is red light, cold tub, and sauna. Of course, his diet as well. He pays a lot of attention to what he eats. It is all very important to him."
In addition to taking care of his physical well-being, Bratt spends an immense amount of time working on the mental side of the game with his mental skills coach, Andy Swärd.
"All the things that come on the ice have come from what I have been doing off the ice, and Swärd has been a huge part of my career," Bratt said to The Hockey News. "We still talk before every single game. It does not have to be a serious talk or anything like that. It can just be a normal chit-chat and keeping ourselves updated with the latest mental game plan. It has been huge for me, and I don't know if I would have been getting this edge without his help."
Bratt's durability has been a talking point that has flown under the radar as the young Swede has not missed a game since April 24, 2022, a benefit of his off-ice dedication.
"Sometimes there is some kind of luck to it, but I try to maintain my body as well as I possibly can, to always give myself a chance to be in my top shape," Bratt said in an exclusive interview. "Even when an injury comes up when you really take care of yourself and do all the right things, your body gets pretty fast at healing stuff, too. That has been a key for me, constantly evolving and constantly getting better, and making sure that I give myself the chance to be 100 percent."
It aligns with Nico Hischier telling The Hockey News that Bratt has a purpose for everything he does.
"He always has a plan," Hischier said. "He knows exactly, every day, what he comes in here for, and what he wants to work on. He has his routine. He takes care of himself."
At the time of publication, the Swede is 10th in the NHL with points and fourth in assists. From a sixth-round pick, Bratt's dedication and commitment to the game of hockey have catapulted him to one of the League's best and a key player for New Jersey.
Award voters from all 32 PHWA chapters will select three finalists for the Masterton. The winner will be revealed at a later date.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes
EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog
Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'
Continue reading...
