Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan was brought to tears accepting the NHL’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the wife of his late friend and teammate, Johnny Gaudreau.

On Thursday, Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan was named the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, an honor awarded every year to the NHL player who best “exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”

A Columbus Blue Jackets center has won one of the most prestigious NHL awards and received the trophy during an emotional surprise visit from Meredith Gaudreau. Sean Monahan, 30, was named the winner of this season’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy,