Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse has been named as one of the finalists for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who "best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."
Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks and P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils are the other two finalists who were announced Friday.
The winner will be announced on June 7 and chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives, led by commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly.
Nurse has served as an ambassador for Free Play for Kids — providing marginalized children the ability to play sports in a safe, accessible and inclusive environment — and Right To Play — protecting, educating and empowering kids to rise above adversity through sports. He created the Darnell Nurse Excellence Scholarship last year partnering with his old high school, St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, to award a pair of scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education.
Getzlaf called it a career at the end of the regular season after 17 years with Anaheim including the past 12 as Ducks' captain. He helped found the "Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play powered by Ryan Getzlaf" providing first-time hockey players the opportunity to get on the ice and receive equipment for free. Getzlaf has also provided 9,500 kids with a complimentary first-time full set of equipment for completing a Learn to Play program and signing up for in-house league play. He has also raised more than $4.25 million over the past decade through the Getzlaf Golf Shootout to benefit CureDuchenne, which aims to save the lives of children affected by the muscular dystrophy disease.
Subban, who is a four-time finalist, launched the P.K. Subban Foundation in 2014, made a $10-million pledge to the Montreal's Children's Hospital in 2015 plus donations for Ukrainian cancer patients who have been displaced due to the ongoing war in their country. He also serves as the co-chair of the NHL's Player Inclusion Committee.
Former Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne won the award last season.
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