NHL Foundation Player Award

The NHL Foundation Player Award was awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) player "who applies the core values of [ice] hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork—to enrich the lives of people in his community".[1] The winner is given a grant of US$ 25,000 to help causes that the winner supports.[2] Many players have been awarded as a result of large charitable contributions to their community. For instance, Vincent Lecavalier received the award in 2008 for committing US $3 million to build The Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.[1]

NHL Foundation Player Award
SportIce hockey
Awarded forNHL player who applies the core values of hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork—to enrich the lives of people in his community
History
First award1997–98 NHL season
Final award2016–17 NHL season

Fifteen players won the NHL Foundation Player Award during its existence. Kelly Chase was awarded the inaugural NHL Foundation Player Award in 1998.[3] No player has ever won the award twice. The Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames and the Detroit Red Wings are the only teams to have been represented twice by winners. The award is closely related to the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, as both are awarded to a player who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.[4] German Olaf Kolzig, Swede Henrik Zetterberg and Americans Ryan Miller and Dustin Brown are the only non-Canadian winners, while Ron Francis and Joe Sakic are the only winners to have been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.[5]

The award was discontinued for the 2017–18 NHL season, with the associated charitable donation being redirected towards the King Clancy Memorial Trophy.[6]

Winners

Ron Francis won the award in 2002.
Trevor Linden won the award in 2008.
*Denotes players who are still active
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
SeasonWinnerPositionTeamNote
1997–98Kelly ChaseRight wingSt. Louis Blues[3]
1998–99Rob RayRight wingBuffalo Sabres1
1999–2000Adam GravesLeft wingNew York Rangers[7]
2000–01Olaf KolzigGoaltenderWashington Capitals[8]
2001–02Ron FrancisCenterCarolina Hurricanes[9]
2002–03Darren McCartyRight wingDetroit Red Wings[2]
2003–04Jarome IginlaRight wingCalgary Flames[10]
2004–05[a]
2005–06Marty TurcoGoaltenderDallas Stars[11]
2006–07Joe SakicCenterColorado Avalanche[12]
2007–08[b]Vincent LecavalierCenterTampa Bay Lightning[1]
Trevor LindenRight wingVancouver Canucks[1]
2008–09Rick NashLeft wingColumbus Blue Jackets[13]
2009–10Ryan MillerGoaltenderBuffalo Sabres[14]
2010–11Dustin BrownRight wingLos Angeles Kings[14]
2011–12Mike FisherCentreNashville Predators[15]
2012–13Henrik ZetterbergCentreDetroit Red Wings
2013–14Patrice BergeronCentreBoston Bruins
2014–15Brent Burns*DefencemanSan Jose Sharks
2015–16Mark Giordano*DefencemanCalgary Flames
2016–17Travis Hamonic*DefencemanNew York Islanders
Notes
  • a No award was presented due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout.
  • b Denotes joint winners

References

General
  • "NHL Foundation Award". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
Specific