Tom Wilson Named Capitals Nominee for NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy

ARLINGTON, Va. - Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson has been named the club's 2022-23 nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, the Capitals and National Hockey League announced today. Wilson is raising funds for the community program So Kids Can through a related fundraiser that launches today in honor of his nomination.

The King Clancy Memorial trophy is awarded annually "to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community." Wilson actively gives back to the community through two player programs as well as by being involved in additional initiatives throughout the season.

In conjunction with the King Clancy nomination, fans who make a donation to So Kids Can online at alltroo.com/wilson between May 9 and June 27 will be entered to win two tickets to a future mutually agreed upon Capitals game, with a postgame meet and greet with Wilson. The experience includes a signed jersey and game-used stick, as well as airfare and hotel for two individuals. All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit 2022-23 So Kids Can beneficiary Playtime Project. Playtime Project cultivates resilience in children experiencing family housing insecurity by providing and expanding access to transformative play experiences.

In 2018, Wilson created 43's Friends to provide tickets and a special postgame meet and greet to kids waiting for their wishes to be granted by Make-A-Wish (MAW) Mid-Atlantic. In 2019, he expanded his program to also include families selected by United Heroes League. Wilson chose MAW Mid-Atlantic after being inspired by a former player who had donated tickets to MAW and selected United Heroes League after meeting many incredible men and women in the area who serve or have previously served in the military. This season, during his injury rehabilitation, Wilson hosted three kids from Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic and three kids from United Heroes League in a suite for the Capitals vs. Coyotes game on Nov. 5. Wilson spent quality time with the kids and their families in the suite for the game.

Wilson is also a member of So Kids Can with teammates Nicklas Backstrom and Martin Fehervary and Elliot in the Morning's Elliot Segal. Through So Kids Can, the players and Segal pledge $50 per Capitals win during the regular-season and $100 per win during the playoffs to a youth-focused nonprofit. Fans were also encouraged to donate at washcaps.com/sokidscan. This season's campaign raised more than $32,000 Playtime Project. So Kids Can held a sweepstakes at the beginning of the season, offering the winner the opportunity to watch the game with Wilson, Backstrom and Segal. The trio joined the sweepstakes winner and Playtime Project representatives in a suite for the Oct. 15 game.

During the 2022-23 season, Wilson was involved with multiple wish experiences and an adaptive bike presentation. He is also an ambassador and volunteer for Wolf Trap Animal Rescue and supported several all-team initiatives, including the organization's annual team hospital visit, Hockey Fights Cancer initiatives and the Capitals Canine Calendar, among other programming.

In December 2022, Wilson was part of Will Mumford's wish to give an art installation to his community, specifically the Washington Capitals practice facility. Wilson first met Will during a 43's Friends activation in 2021-2022. When Wilson learned about the wish, he told Will to let him know when the art unveiling would take place so he could see it in person. Wilson stayed true to his word and was thrilled to take part in Will's Mosaic Weagle art unveiling, which now hangs in the MedStar Capitals Iceplex lobby.

In February 2023, Wilson also was a part of Madeleine Golden's Dream on 3 experience, meeting her and her family after pregame skate. After the meet and greet, Wilson surprised the Golden family by taking Madeleine and her brother's jerseys back to the locker room to have the rest of the team sign them.

In February, Wilson attended 13-year-old Ilan Shterenberg's presentation of a Washington Capitals-themed adaptive bike to eight-year-old Lamar Collado at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Collado has epilepsy, low muscle tone and other conditions, which affect his gross and fine motor skills. This specific bike is specially designed to provide extra support and stability while cycling and helps Collado with exercise, mobility and his cognitive performance skills.

The finalists for the 2022-23 King Clancy Memorial Trophy as well as the winner will be announced by the NHL at a later date.