Toronto, ON (My Sportsbook) - Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik and Nashville Predators forward Steve Sullivan were among the finalists named for the 2009 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Thursday.

The award, under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, is presented annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Zednik recorded 17 goals and 33 points in 70 games for Florida in 2008-09, one season removed from a life-threatening injury suffered in a February, 2008 game against the Buffalo Sabres.

In that game, Zednik was cut by the skate of teammate Olli Jokinen, causing a near-fatal wound to one of his arteries in his neck, close to the jugular vein. Following surgery to repair the damage, Zednik missed the remainder of the regular season.

Sullivan, a 12-year NHL veteran, returned at mid-season after missing nearly two full years due to a fragmented spinal disc which required multiple surgeries on his back.

The 34-year-old posted 11 goals and 21 assists in 41 games for the Preds, who narrowly missed out on the postseason this year.

Defenseman Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings rounds out the list of nominees.

The 47-year-old Chicago native, who just participated in his 25th pro campaign, played in 28 games this past season after recovering from a broken leg while blocking a shot in a late-September exhibition contest.

A three-time Stanley Cup winner (Montreal, 1986; Detroit 2002, 2008), Chelios is the oldest player in the league and just the third player in league history (Gordie Howe, Mark Messier) to skate for a quarter-century in the NHL.

The winner will be revealed at the NHL Awards show on June 18.