Nashville Predators netminder Pekka Rinne has been named the winner of the 2021 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, presented to the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
Rinne has long been committed to supporting the community in Tennessee during his time with the Predators. Since establishing the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund in 2012-13, alongside former teammate Shea Weber, the veteran goaltender has helped raise over $3 million for cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Rinne also works regularly with Best Buddies (a non-profit advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities), Make-A-Wish, the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s (which raises awareness for the effects of Parkinson’s disease) as well as a number of other initiatives.
“It is special, being 15 years in the same organization, same city, and the opportunities I’ve had through local charities and in my community, it’s very special to me,” Rinne said of winning the 2021 award.
Taking a moment to applaud fellow nominees P.K. Subban and Kurtis Gabriel for their own charitable work, and to thank the Predators organization for helping him bring about some change in the city, Rinne also took a moment to acknowledge his former teammate.
“I also want to recognize Shea Weber of [the] Montreal Canadiens, with whom I started the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund,” he said. “This award means a lot to me and to my family. It’s a huge honour. I’ve always loved working in local charities and in my community, and will continue to do so.”
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