NHL announces finalists for King Clancy Memorial Trophy
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is given annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. The winner is chosen by NHL representatives from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and the NHL Broadcasters' Association.
The NHL announced its three finalists this morning:
P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils is known for the donation history that he has had throughout his NHL career in Montreal, Nashville and New Jersey. He started the Subban Foundation in 2014, which aims to create positive change by building a community of people who are passionate about helping children around the globe. Those efforts have included a $10 million pledge to the Montreal Children's Hospital in 2015 (the largest ever by a Canadian athlete). Subban also runs the "Bluelines Buddies" program, connecting local children with law enforcement and frontline workers. He also runs «Change the Game,» which speaks out on racial and social justice issues, and serves as co-chair of the NHL's Player Inclusion Committee, which guides initiatives and programs that foster a more inclusive environment for underrepresented hockey players.
Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers focuses on initiatives dedicated to immigrants and Indigenous youth. He's an ambassador of "Free Play for Kids," which provides marginalized children with an opportunity to play sports in a safe, accessible and inclusive environment and offers kids from Edmonton's most socially vulnerable schools the chance to attend an Oilers game and meet him afterward. Nurse expanded his efforts by announcing the "Darnell Nurse Excellence Scholarship" in 2021 to award two scholarships each year to deserving students pursuing post-secondary. He also has been a prominent youth mentor and an outspoken advocate for diversity and inclusion, recently serving as a spokesperson for the NHL's Respect Hockey initiative.
Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks helped create the "Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play" program, which offers youth the chance to get on the ice and receive equipment for free. He also sponsors the "Learn to Play" program and helps kids who participate in a "RINKS" in-house league to receive their first set of gear. To date, 18,000 kids have taken part in the Learn to Play program, while Getzlaf has helped provide 9,500 of them with full sets of hockey equipment. Away from the rink, Getzlaf and his wife, Paige, host the annual "Getzlaf Golf Shootout" to benefit a nonprofit that aims to save the lives of children and young adults affected by the muscle-wasting disease. The event has raised more than $4.25 million over the last 10 years. Getzlaf announced his retirement at the end of the 2021-22 season.
MY PICK: Ryan Getzlaf. Basically, because he announced his retirement before the conclusion of the regular season, he spent his entire 17-year career in Anaheim. It's impossible to pick a winner for this award, and in a good way because all three of them contribute so much to their communities and help so many people in need.
The last Boston Bruins player to win the award was Patrice Bergeron back in the 2012-13 NHL season.
