Ryan Getzlaf, Darnell Nurse and P.K. Subban were named finalists for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy on Friday.
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 2022 NHL Awards on June 7 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.
Getzlaf is a founder and supporter of the Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play program that allows first-time hockey players to skate in equipment and receive tips for free. Each participant receives an equipment bag with a helmet, shin guards, hockey pants, elbow pads, shoulder pads, gloves and a jersey for the four-week session. More than 18,000 kids have participated.
He also hosts his annual Getzlaf Golf Shootout and MVP Party to benefit CureDuchenne. Duchenne is a disease that has affected more than 300,000 youths worldwide and the event has raised $4.27 million toward finding a cure over the past 10 years. Getzlaf announced his retirement from the NHL on April 5 after playing 17 seasons, all for the Ducks.
Nurse, a defenseman for the Edmonton Oilers, has been an advocate of diversity, inclusivity and belonging in the game of hockey while speaking out against racism. He is also the ambassador of Canada-based charitable organizations Free Play for Kids and Right to Play, helping provide marginalized youth with the opportunity to play hockey in a safe, accessible and inclusive environment at no cost to them or their families. Through the net proceeds from the Oilers 50/50 raffle and other community initiatives, Nurse has helped raise more than $122,000 to ensure indigenous youth in Alberta have access to specialized sports programs in their community.
He also created the Darnell Nurse Excellence Scholarship designed to ensure exceptional students are not held back from pursuing their post-secondary aspirations because of financial need. In its first year in 2021, two students each received a scholarship of $40,000. Nurse had said he will continue to award the scholarship for as long as he is able.
Subban, a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, has been committed to racial and social justice, underserved youth, COVID-19 relief and youth hockey. He created the P.K. Subban Foundation in 2014 while playing for the Montreal Canadiens and has pledged $10 million over seven years to Montreal Children's Hospital. Subban also founded Blueline Buddies in 2016 while playing for the Nashville Predators. The program aims to bridge the gap between law enforcement and local youth and Subban hosted a virtual meet-and-greet with participants prior to every Devils home game this season.
In March, Subban donated $1 million in support of Le Spot, a mental health clinic in Montreal, and matched donations up to $100,000 to help Ukrainian cancer patients who arrived for life-saving treatments. A finalist for the fourth time (2017-18, 2019-20, 2020-21), Subban was named co-chair for the Player Inclusion Committee in 2020 under the Executive Inclusion Council, which is comprised of NHL owners, former players and team and League executives and aims to provide solutions that positively impact underrepresented groups in the game.
Goalie Pekka Rinne won the King Clancy Trophy last season. He retired July 13, 2021 after playing his entire 15-season NHL career for the Predators.
