Thunder Bay export Carter Hutton nominated for Masterton Trophy

One of Thunder Bay's more successful goaltending hockey exports has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Carter Hutton of the Nashville Predators, has been named by the Professional Hockey Writers Association as the team's nominee for the 2016 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

The Masterton Trophy winner is selected in a poll of all chapters of the writers association at the end of the regular season.

According to a team news release, the trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Through 14 games as the backup to starting goaltender Pekka Rinne, Hutton has a 7-4-3 record, with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. He has posted a career-high two shutouts, according to the release.

Hutton sported a 6-7-4 record between the pipes for Nashville in 2014-15.

In the same news release, Hutton said he thought the nomination was "a good thing."

"I don't think I've dealt with anything that's major compared to what some guys have dealt with," he said.

"It shows that you have to just try to persevere and work hard and continue to improve. I come to work and try to have fun and work hard every day."

The winner will be named at the 2016 NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

Former Predators forward Steve Sullivan won the award in 2009.