Rod Brind`Amour wears the A, during a game in Raleigh, January 24, 2010 shortly after the transition of the team's captaincy to Eric Staal. (photo via LTD)

According to Luke DeCock of the N&O, in a story posted at CanesNow this afternoon, veteran center and long-time and now former Captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, Rod Brind`Amour has been selected by the local chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association as Carolina's nominee for the NHL Masterton Trophy.

This is the third time Brind`Amour has been nominated for the Masterton, though he has yet to be selected as the NHL's recipient. He received the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward in both 2005-06 and 2006-07.

As described at NHL.com, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Last year, the Masterton was awarded to  Steve Sullivan of the Nashville Predators. Jason Blake received the award in 2008. The 2010 NHL Award ceremony will be in Las Vegas in June.

Congratulations to Brind`Amour on this recognition for his dedication and perseverance.