Inaugural Bruce Boudreau Winner Dominik Shine Named Detroit's Masterton Nominee

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

This is not strictly a Texas Stars story, but it is very much an AHL story.

Each chapter of the PWHA announced their nominees for the 2026 Masterton Trophy this morning. The Bill Masterton Trophy is award each year to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.

The Detroit chapter has nominated Dominik Shine, the inaugural winner of the Bruce Boudreau Award.

The smile on my face when I learned that the player we had identified last year as the most outstanding on an American Hockey League contract was receiving an NHL award nomination could have lit up a city.

In Shine, the concepts of perseverance and dedication befitting the Masterton Award nominee were self-evident. An undrafted signee in 2017, Shine has played nine seasons with the Griffins and earned an NHL contract last spring. Since then, he continued to play in Grand Rapids and earned the captaincy as they had one of the best early season runs in AHL history.

He was signed to a two-year extension in January and in February made his season debut with the Red Wings. He hasn't been back to the AHL since. In 16 games, Shine has scored his first, second and third NHL goals.

“You just need to put things into perspective every now and then,” Shine reflected after winning the Boudreau Award last year. “Take a step back and realize you're doing what you used to do as a 10 year-old kid. We're so lucky to be able to do that, especially at this level. It's just a great honor.”

I have kicked off the 2026 Boudreau Award process and look forward to naming another outstanding AHL contract player for their contributions to their team's success this season. I also look forward to seeing more Boudreau winners make significant contributions at the NHL level wherever possible. Congratulations to Shine.