Wednesday morning the NHL announced that the Washington Capitals have nominated Tom Wilson for the 2018-19 King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The trophy goes to the player who “best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
Wilson’s improvement on the ice, his work with children off of it, and the leadership he’s shown in the locker room have made him a fan-favorite in DC.
Here are the nominees from all 31 teams:
Photo: @PR_NHL
.@tom_wilso has been announced as the Capitals nominee for 2018-19 King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Wilson has been involved with numerous community programs throughout his career in Washington. #ALLCAPS
READ: https://t.co/poUpq2skwU pic.twitter.com/dTkfak8wmF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 17, 2019
Former coach Barry Trotz spoke about the “leadership qualities” criteria, saying Wilson has been “one of my favorites since I got here. I just see the young man growing as a leader.”
He could potentially be the future captain following Alex Ovechkin.
Wilson has made many “noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community” during his time with the Capitals. This season he developed his own charity in partnership with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic called Forty Three’s Friends.
“Kids have the right to have a great childhood,” Wilson said. “Whatever I can do to help out with that is something that’s always hit close to home for me.”
Forty Three’s Friends helps Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic children who are waiting for their wish to be granted. Wilson gives the children and their families tickets to games, a tour of the locker room, and spends time talking with them.
FORTY THREE'S FRIENDS: All season long @tom_wilso has been helping put smiles on kid's faces, partnering with @WishMidAtlantic to provide memorable nights at @Capitals games. @SherreeBurruss has the story @nbcwashington #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/J2t58Rwv4w
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) March 26, 2019
In early April, the children he hosted over the course of the season made him a thank you video.
The summer after the Capitals’ Stanley Cup win, Wilson used his day with the Cup to partner with the SickKids Foundation in his hometown of Toronto. The Hospital for Sick Children is the second-largest pediatric research hospital in the world.
In September he visited Bright Beginnings, which provides a safe, nurturing educational environment for young children experiencing homelessness. Wilson read a book with the kids and helped them design a playground to be built by MSE Foundation.
Wilson has also been an ambassador for the “So Kids Can” charity since 2017. This year, along with Braden Holtby and Nicklas Backstrom, the trio delivered laptops and tablets to Hendley Elementary in Southeast DC.
Last season the Capitals nominated Brooks Orpik for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy.
The winner will be selected by a panel led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. The top three will be announced April 23 and the winner will be announced at the NHL awards on June 19. All three finalists will receive funds for the charities of their choice, with $40,000 going to the winner and $5,000 to each runner-up.
More from the NHL:
NEW YORK (April 17, 2019) – The National Hockey League announced today the list of nominees for the 2018-19 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “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 clubs. The winner will be selected 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 of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy:
- Clear and measurable positive impact on the community
- Investment of time and resources
- Commitment to a particular cause or community
- Commitment to the League’s community initiatives (Hockey is for Everyone, Hockey Fights Cancer, Future Goals, Learn to Play, NHL Green, etc.)
- Creativity of programming
- Use of influence; engagement of others
The three finalists for the 2018-19 King Clancy Memorial Trophy will be announced on Tuesday, April 23, and the winner will be revealed at the 2019 NHL Awards™ presented by Bridgestone on Wednesday, June 19 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The first-place finisher will receive a $40,000 donation from the National Hockey League Foundation to benefit a charity or charities of the winner’s choice and the two runners-up will each receive a $5,000 donation from the National Hockey League Foundation to benefit a charity or charities of their choice.
History
The trophy was presented in 1988 by the National Hockey League Board of Governors in honor of Frank “King” Clancy, a beloved figure in the NHL for decades as a player, referee, coach, manager and goodwill ambassador. A three-time Stanley Cup champion and 1958 inductee to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Clancy was voted as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players during the League’s Centennial Celebration in 2017.
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB
