What is the King Clancy Award?

The King Clancy Award is a prestigious accolade awarded to the National Hockey League (NHL) player who best exemplifies leadership qualities both on and off the ice. It is named after Frank “King” Clancy, a former NHL player who was known for his exceptional sportsmanship and contributions to the community. The award was first presented in 1988 and has since become one of the most coveted individual awards in the NHL.

The King Clancy Award is not awarded solely based on a player’s on-ice performance. Rather, it recognizes the individual who demonstrates a commitment to charitable causes, community service, and leadership. The recipient of the award is chosen by a committee consisting of NHL executives, media personnel, and representatives from the NHL Players’ Association.

One of the unique aspects of the King Clancy Award is that the recipient is not chosen by the committee alone. Fans are also given the opportunity to participate in the selection process by voting for their favorite player. This provides an opportunity for fans to recognize and acknowledge the contributions that their favorite players have made both on and off the ice.

The King Clancy Award is not limited to a specific area of charitable work. Rather, it recognizes players who have made significant contributions to a variety of causes. For example, in 2020, the award was presented to Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild. Dumba was recognized for his work in promoting diversity and inclusion within the NHL community. Dumba founded the “Hockey Without Limits” program, which aims to provide young athletes from diverse backgrounds with access to ice hockey.

In addition to the recognition that comes with receiving the King Clancy Award, the winner also receives a $25,000 donation to the charity or charities of their choice. This provides players with the opportunity to further support the causes that they are passionate about.

Over the years, the King Clancy Award has recognized numerous NHL players for their contributions both on and off the ice. Past recipients include notable players such as Trevor Linden, Patrice Bergeron, Henrik Zetterberg, and Zdeno Chara, among others.

In conclusion, the King Clancy Award is a prestigious honor that recognizes NHL players who have made significant contributions to their communities and who exemplify the highest standards of leadership and sportsmanship. The award is a testament to the values that the NHL holds dear and encourages players to be role models for their fans and communities. The King Clancy Award is an important part of the NHL’s commitment to making a positive impact on society and promoting a culture of giving back.

1988 – Lanny McDonald (Calgary Flames)
1989 – Bryan Trottier (Pittsburgh Penguins)

1990 – Dave Taylor (Los Angeles Kings)
1991 – Ray Bourque (Boston Bruins)
1992 – Mark Messier (New York Rangers)

1993 – Dave Poulin (Boston Bruins)
1994 – Adam Graves (New York Rangers)
1995 – Joe Nieuwendyk (Calgary Flames)

1996 – Kris King (Winnipeg Jets)
1997 – Trevor Linden (Vancouver Canucks)
1998 – Kelly Chase (St. Louis Blues)

1999 – Rob Ray (Buffalo Sabres)
2000 – Curtis Joseph (Toronto Maple Leafs)
2001 – Shjon Podein (Colorado Avalanche)

2002 – Ron Francis (Carolina Hurricanes)
2003 – Brendan Shanahan (Detroit Red Wings)
2004 – Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames)

2005 – No award due to NHL lockout
2006 – Olaf Kolzig (Washington Capitals)
2007 – Saku Koivu (Montreal Canadiens)

2008 – Ethan Moreau (Edmonton Oilers)
2009 – Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes)

2010 – Doug Weight (New York Islanders)

2011 – Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins)

2012 – Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa Senators)
2013 – Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins)

2014 – Andrew Ference (Edmonton Oilers)
2015 – Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings)
2016 – Mark Giordano (Calgary Flames)

2017 – Nick Foligno (Columbus Blue Jackets)
2018 – Daniel and Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)
2019 – Jason Zucker (Minnesota Wild)

2020 – Matt Dumba (Minnesota Wild)
2021 – P.K. Subban (New Jersey Devils)
2022 – Derek Ryan (Edmonton Oilers)

It’s worth noting that the 2021 award was presented to two players, P.K. Subban, and Kurtis Gabriel, for their efforts in promoting social justice and equality. However, only Subban was listed as the official winner.

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