An annual award presented “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualitites to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season.” Suggestions for nominees are solicited from fans, clubs and NHL personnel, but the selection of the three finalists and the ultimate winner is made by Mark Messier himself. History: This award was first handed out in 2007. Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber is the recipient of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. Weber, Nashville’s captain since 2010-11, reached the 20-goal and 50-point milestones for the third time to guide the Predators to their second straight playoff berth. He also is a leader with several charitable organizations both in Nashville and his hometown of Sicamous, British Columbia. Weber - along with teammate Pekka Rinne - started the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund, which raises money and donates tickets to patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University. That initiative has contributed more than $700,000 since its inception in 2013-14. In his hometown of Sicamous, Weber partners with the Sicamous Shootout to host a golf tournament in support of the BC Cancer Society.

Presented by Bridgestone in honor of one of hockey?s great leaders, this award was first handed out in 2007.