Each year, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy is given to the NHL “player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
Each of the 31 clubs puts in a nomination. This year, the Devils’ nominee is defenseman PK Subban, according toa press release put out by the team yesterday.
Subban has been a great leader both on the ice and in his community in his stays in Montreal, Nashville and, now, New Jersey.
To name just one of his community engagements, Subban carried the Blueline Buddies program that he founded over from his time in Nashville. That program sees police officers paired up with kids in their New Jersey community to take in a Devils game at Prudential Center.
The three finalists for the trophy “will be announced in early August” according to the press release, with the winner “revealed during the 2020 Conference Finals.”
“The winner will be chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.”
The press release says that the criteria used to determine the winner includes: “Clear and measurable positive impact on the community. Investment of time and resources. Commitment to a particular cause or community. Commitment to the League’s community initiatives. Creativity of programming. Use of influence; engagement of others.”
The winner of the trophy “will receive a $25,000 donation from the National Hockey League Foundation to benefit a charity or charities of his choice. The two runners-up will receive a $5,000 donation from the National Hockey League Foundation to benefit a charity or charities of their choice.”