The award is presented 'to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.'
The nominees were selected by their respective NHL teams. The winner will be chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. The selection committee will apply the following criteria in determining the finalists and winner:
The first-place finisher will receive a $25,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of his choice. The two runners-up each will receive a $5,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of their choice.
The trophy was presented to the NHL by the Board of Governors in 1988 to honor the late Francis M. "King" Clancy, a former Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs player, as well as an NHL referee, coach and general manager. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.
Daniel Alfredsson is the only previous Senator to claim the award, winning in 2012.
