and coaches recalled seeing Masterton black out during rushes in practice. Goaltender Cesare Maniago recalled that the night before the fatal hit, Masterton had been complaining of severe migraines that he had had for over a week. They felt it caused what was otherwise viewed as a clean, albeit hard, bodycheck to turn fatal. Toronto neurosurgeon and concussion expert Charles Tator reviewed Masterton's autopsy and opined that Masterton had suffered second-impact syndrome, which occurs when a person suffers a second concussion on top of an earlier, untreated concussion. When this happens, it can cause rapid and often fatal brain swelling. Several awards were named in Masterton's memory. The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy was created in 1968 under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and is presented annually to the "National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey". The University of Denver Pioneers hockey team named its most valuable player award after him, and his Winnipeg high school, Miles Macdonell Collegiate, presents a scholarship in his name. High schools in Bloomington, where the North Stars played their games, also award scholarships in Masterton's name. The Minnesota North Stars pulled his jersey number 19 out of circulation following his death and formally retired it in 1987. That honour followed the franchise when it relocated south to become the Dallas Stars. Masterton was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, and named to the NCAA's 50th anniversary team in 1997. Career statistics Awards and honours See also List of ice hockey players who died during their playing career References Career statistics: External links 1938 births 1968 deaths American men's ice hockey centers Canadian ice hockey centres Cleveland Barons (1937–1973) players Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey players Ice hockey players who died while playing Minnesota North Stars players National Hockey League players with retired numbers Sports deaths in Minnesota Ice hockey people from Winnipeg St. Boniface Canadiens players NCAA men's ice hockey national champions AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans