Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen has been selected as the Sabres nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial trophy. The annual award is given to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Numminen missed all but one game last season because of surgery to repair a faulty heart valve.

During the 2008-2009 campaign, the 40-year-old has played in 55 games. He has two goals and 14 assists.

The Buffalo chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association selected Numminen for nomination. One nominee is chosen from each NHL team.

The Masterton Trophy winner will be announced at the NHL Awards Show, on June 18th, in Las Vegas.

The trophy is named after the Minnesota North Stars' Bill Masterton, who died because of a hit he sustained while playing against the Oakland Seals on January 13, 1968.