By CHRIS STEVENSON

Maybe Senators defenceman Anton Volchenkov didn't quite grasp the significance of the news, but his coach and teammates did.

The 25-year-old defenceman was named by the local chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association as the Senators' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

It recognizes "the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." One player is nominated from each team and the winner is recognized at the NHL's awards show in June.

"Seriously, I don't know this award, but it's good, it's great (to be nominated)," Volchenkov told reporters yesterday.

"Phil, what is it?" he asked Senators vice-president of communications Phil Legault.

Volchenkov leads the NHL in blocked shots this season and his attitude makes him a worthy nominee, said defence partner Chris Phillips.

"Not everyone has seen the bruises he's collected," said Phillips. "That's been the biggest part of his game, his shot-blocking and penalty killing.

"An optional practice? It doesn't matter. He's out there on the ice every day. He gets his treatment, shows off his bruises and gets right back out there. He doesn't complain about it, he accepts and, I think, enjoys it."

Coach Bryan Murray said Volchenkov's play this season truly represents what the Masterton Trophy is about.

"Is there any better example of that right now?" he asked when told about Volchenkov's nomination. "This guy has played hard. If you talk about black-and-blue marks, he's got them every day.

"The normal player, several times this season, I thought, would not be able to play the game, but there wasn't any doubt in his mind he was going to play."

Murray said it's also good for a player -- a defensive defenceman -- who doesn't normally get much recognition from the fans to have his efforts appreciated.

Volchenkov and Phillips have become the Senators' shutdown duo with Volchenkov moving up to take the spot vacated by Zdeno Chara, who signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins.

"Both (Phillips and Volchenkov) have been terrific,'' Murray said. ''There was a big void when Chara left. They've stepped in and given us a chance since the early part of the year to win every game."