BLOG: Murphy Nominated for 2020-21 King Clancy Memorial Trophy
Defenseman one of 31 NHL players nominated for award honoring humanitarian contribution in the community
by Carter Baum @CarterBaum / Blackhawks.com
Connor Murphy has been named the Blackhawks' nominee for the 2020-21 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, 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 award is named in honor of Frank "King" Clancy, a figure in the League for decades as a player, referee, coach, manager and goodwill ambassador.
An active member of the Blackhawks' community initiatives, few stepped up more than Murphy during the COVID-19 pandemic as usual engagement opportunities largely came to a standstill and support had to transition to safe and unique ways.
"We do tend to get a good amount of appearances in throughout the year and offseason," Murphy said of his community efforts during a March appearance on the Blackhawks Insider podcast. "This year, not having that, we were able to improvise where we could and do Zoom calls and do calls with whoever it is -- whether it's kids or groups of staff or workers."
"When COVID hit, [it was about] realizing how everyone did and does need to stick together to keep level heads and keep everyone positive and keep everyone together to get through hard times," he added. "That's important and it looks like everyone has been doing that. It's cool with the internet seeing the different ways people are helping and it's pretty cool to see the city band together. Chicago is such an amazing city and it feels like a great community that everyone sticks together and it makes it even more fun to be a part of."
Here are just a few of the community impacts Murphy has made over the last year:
- With a personal connection to front line healthcare workers, Murphy personally delivered meals to local a local hospital during the initial months of the pandemic.
- Murphy supported holiday drop-offs around the United Center through Chicago Blackhawks Foundation's block support program with Westhaven Park.
- Murphy supported CBF in a number of other ways, including serving as the player representative for intros to the Healthy Hawks program during the Blackhawks virtual summer camp and filming videos to help fundraise virtually through the Queen of Hearts raffle.
- Murphy lent his voice to important social causes, serving as the Blackhawks representative for the all-Chicago teams PSA for voting efforts during the 2020 Election and now serving as the Blackhawks representative for the City's vaccine advocacy campaign.
Video: Shaw, DeBrincat and Murphy spread holiday cheer
The 31 team nominees were selected by their respective NHL clubs and the winner will be chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.