Brooks Orpik Named Capitals Nominee for King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik has been named the club's nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, the Capitals and National Hockey League announced today.

The trophy is awarded annually "to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."
In January, Orpik surprised the Tucker Road Youth Hockey Program of Fort Washington, Md., with a visit to present the Tucker Road Ducks with 25 new sets of hockey equipment courtesy of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) Goals & Dreams fund.

The Ducks play out of the Tucker Road Ice Rink in Fort Washington, which was destroyed by a fire in January of 2017. The fire not only damaged the building, leaving the Ducks without a place to practice and play games, but also ruined thousands of dollars' worth of donated equipment used by the team.
Upon learning of the disaster, Orpik reached out to see how he could help the organization and facilitated the donation with the NHLPA.

Orpik and his wife, Erin, have also coordinated "Wish Upon a Par" for two consecutive seasons to benefit Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic. The event brings together Capitals players with wish kids and fans to raise money for Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic.

In addition, 2018 marked the fourth consecutive season Orpik has participated in Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation's Courage Caps initiative, partaking in annual skates with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) families and serving as a spokesman to raise awareness.
During the 2017-18 season, Orpik also posed for the annual Canine Calendar to raise funds and awareness for Homeward Trails Animal Rescue and skated and played hockey with nearly 100 children with physical and developmental disabilities during a Dreams for Kids Clinic at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. He also participated in a skate with the Fort Dupont Cannons.

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 King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner 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.
The three finalists for the 2017-18 King Clancy Memorial Trophy will be announced on Monday, April 30, and the winner will be revealed on Wednesday, June 20, during the 2018 NHL Awards™ presented by Hulu at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.