Patrick Sharp will have season-ending hip surgery on Tuesday, nominated for Masterton

Dallas Stars forward Patrick Sharp will have season-ending hip surgery on Tuesday, bringing an end to a difficult season for the 35-year-old.

Sharp only played 48 games this season as he dealt with a pair of concussions and constant hip pain. He’s also been dealing with an emotional roller coaster as his father, Ian Sharp, continued to battle leukemia.

“It’s been tough,” Sharp said. “I knew it was going to be a challenging year with my father and what he has been going through. Looking back on the season, I probably could have handled my emotions a little better maybe.”

Ian Sharp was diagnosed with leukemia seven years ago and the disease worsened this year. Treatments have since worked and he is now back home in Ontario.

For enduring a difficult season, the Dallas chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association has nominated Sharp as its candidate for the Bill Masterton Trophy, given each season to a player who displays the attributes of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

“He’s given everything he’s had,” said Stars general manager Jim Nill. “He went through the bad times in Chicago and the good times. He’s come here and gone through good times and bad times. This was a tough, tough year for him, and he gave everything he had.”

Sharp could have had the surgery earlier in the season and it would have made sense with the Stars slipping away from playoff contention. However Sharp took pride in playing through the injury.

“It’s easy to feel good about yourself when things are going good and your confidence is high and health is good,” Sharp said. “I think you show your true colors when you’re up against it, and that’s something I probably learned from my dad.”