Mikael Backlund, Anders Lee and Darnell Nurse were named finalists for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy on Wednesday.
The award is given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.
Chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, the King Clancy winner will be announced as part of the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 26 (8 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS) and 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 each will get a $5,000 donation.
Backlund, a center for the Calgary Flames, has supported the ALS Society of Alberta in honor of his mother-in-law, who died from the disease. Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow has also been dealing with ALS for the past four years. Backlund and his wife have raised more than $400,000 for the nonprofit and have welcomed almost 100 families affected by ALS to home games.
Backlund also supports The Kids Cancer Care and Special Olympics Calgary. He had a childhood friend diagnosed with cancer and another who was born with Down syndrome, and has invited 500 guests to attend Flames games and meet with him afterward. Backlund and his wife partnered with Parachutes for Pets to create Lily's Legacy, named for their dog who died in 2021. The program allows children in foster care to keep their pets while they are transitioning into care.
He would be the first Flames player to win the award since Jarome Iginla in 2003-04.
Lee, a forward for the New York Islanders, has aided with numerous fundraising events, including "Jam Kancer in the Kan," a foundation that helps children and their families dealing with cancer. Prior to Lee's involvement in the event, the nonprofit had generated $130,000 in two years; it has now raised more than $2 million. Lee also funds academic scholarships in honor of his friend, Fenov Pierre-Louis, who died of cancer at age 17.
The Islanders captain also invites families affected by cancer to New York home games and assists those struggling financially during the holiday season.
Lee would be the first Islanders player to win the award since Bryan Trottier in 1988-89.
Nurse, a defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers, has taken part in several community initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion in sports. Working with "Free Play for Kids", he has provided marginalized children, including refugees and Indigenous youth, with the opportunity to play sports in a safe, accessible and inclusive environment. He also is an ambassador for "Right To Play," which protects, educates and empowers children to overcome adversity using sports.
Nurse also created the Darnell Nurse Excellence Scholarship in 2021, working with his alma mater in Hamilton, Ontario, to award two scholarships each year to deserving students pursuing post-secondary aspirations. He also has been a youth mentor, sponsored players in the Greater Toronto Hockey League and supported food banks and healthcare initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nurse, a finalist for the King Clancy last season, would be the first Oilers player to win the award since Andrew Ference in 2013-14.
Defenseman P.K. Subban of the New Jersey Devils won the King Clancy Trophy last season. He retired on Sept. 20 after 13 NHL seasons.
