The winner, chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, will receive a $40,000 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.
The results will be announced at the 2019 NHL Awards presented by Bridgestone at the Mandalay Bay Events Center sports and entertainment complex in Las Vegas on June 19.
Ekman-Larsson has served as Hockey Is For Everyone ambassador for the Coyotes the past three seasons. His strong connection with the community includes $250,000 in donations made to the Boys and Girls Club. The 27-year-old defenseman has purchased a suite each season at Gila River Arena and invited branches of the club to allow the kids the opportunity to watch games and then meet him after every home game. He helped Phoenix Children's Hospital with their local promotion for Childhood Cancer Awareness month with social media posts, and has supported Playworks, a local group with an anti-bullying campaign, by sharing that "Real Players Don't Bully" on social media through photos and videos. He continues his work in support of Hockey Fights Cancer and Hockey Talks by wearing purple (tie/hat/pin) for awareness and being active on social media.
Lundqvist and his wife, Therese, founded the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation (HLF). They have raised more than $2.5 million to benefit four partners; Together for Better, New York Presbyterian Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and Garden of Dreams Foundation, as well as the foundation's own program, the HLF Young Ambassador Program. Lundqvist has served as spokesperson for Garden of Dreams since 2009, and his support and involvement has helped the program raise $467,000. HLF has given grants and made commitments of nearly $1 million in support of children's health and education. The 37-year-old goalie has raised more than $18,000 for Hockey Fights Cancer and more than $2,900 for Hockey is for Everyone through donations of signed memorabilia.
Zucker and his wife, Carly, began a fundraising campaign for the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis in 2017. The space will allow children and their families to watch Wild games in a setting that simulates the experience of being at the game itself. The Zuckers started the project with a $160,000 donation and encouraged others in the community to donate in increments of 16 -- Jason's jersey number -- to the #GIVE16 campaign, which has raised more than $1.2 million in less than 12 months. In August 2018, Zucker partnered with Da Beauty League to host a showcase game with players from Minnesota Special Hockey, a modified ice hockey program in Minnesota for players of all ages with development disabilities. The 27-year-old left wing, who serves as Hockey Is For Everyone ambassador for the Wild, scored 21 goals this season and pledged $1,600 for each one. Zucker was a finalist for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy last season.
