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Henrik Lundqvist Named Finalist for King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Henrik Lundqvist has been named a finalist for the NHL’s 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.”

Per the NHL’s release, the selection committee applies 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

Here is why Lundqvist was nominated for the award:

Through the fundraising efforts and community outreach of the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation (HLF), the charitable organization he founded in 2014 with his wife, Therese, Henrik Lundqvist continues to improve the lives of children and adults throughout the world through education and health services. The four HLF community partners – New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald Barnfond in Sweden, Together for Betterand Garden of Dreams Foundation -- and HLF’s own program, the HLF Young Ambassador Program -- all were recipients of Foundation donations in 2018-19. To date, HLF has directly given grants and made commitments of nearly $1 million supporting children’s health and education. Lundqvist serves as a spokesperson for Garden of Dreams, visits with children and their families from Garden of Dreams partner organizations in “Henrik’s Crease” for Rangers games at Madison Square Garden and supports the Rangers’ Hockey Fights Cancer and Hockey is for Everyone initiatives.

You can read an extended detailing on this excerpt on the Rangers’ website.

Lundqvist certainly has done his fair share of charitable work off the ice, and he cares deeply about helping as many people as possible. He’s by far one of the most recognizable faces of MSG’s Garden of Dreams program, and he’s continually looked for ways to make an impact.

Last summer Lundqvist and Mats Zuccarello held an outdoor hockey game dubbed the “Summer Classic.” The funds raised benefited Right to Play, an international humanitarian organization that works to improve children’s school conditions in developing countries, with a strong focus on learning and playing, and both Zuccarello and Lundqvist’s respective foundations.

Lundqvist is certainly deserving of being a finalist, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s recognized for his efforts and wins the award. Oliver Ekman Larsson of the Arizona Coyotes, and Jason Zucker of the Minnesota Wild were also named finalists for the award.

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