Dumba of Wild wins King Clancy Trophy

Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player or players who best exemplify leadership qualities on and off the ice and have made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in their communities, on Sunday.

"This is a very special day for me and my family," Dumba said. "I don't think I ever need the recognition when it comes to this kind of stuff, but to be recognized feels really good. Our family is just, you're taking it all in and trying to enjoy the moment right now. It's hard to wrap your head around how special this is for everyone and I'm so happy I get a loss for words when I start talking about it."
The defenseman has been committed to racial and social justice and the Hockey is for Everyone initiative. He also helped form the Hockey Diversity Alliance with seven current and former Black NHL players. The HDA's mission is to "eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey."
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Dumba launched fundraising efforts following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died May 25 while in custody of the Minneapolis police, in order to support the rebuilding of local businesses damaged during the riots and protests in Minnesota.
"Just with all the craziness in the world, what happened to George Floyd, that initiated it," Dumba said about his decision to become more involved in the fight against racism. "Watching something as disgusting as that, it really can get your blood just boiling. And I was at a point where I just knew I had to do something. Then you get into conversations with the HDA and experiences other players have had in hockey growing up.
"Actually, one of the stories that one of my best friends, a Minnesota Wild fan favorite I believe, Chris Stewart tells the story. If you know Stew, he's got two twins. He's got three boys, but the two twins, one is very, very light-skinned and the other is way darker. And I believe Christian asked his dad, does this mean that Connor would get shot instead of me if we did something wrong? And it's so heavy hearing that from a 6-year-old who's just been watching the news and just been around it and is growing up in this world, and that's where I just took the stand for that generation, this generation coming up and not having to go through what some of us have."

A first-time finalist for the trophy, Dumba donated to more than 60 families in need during the coronavirus pandemic, gave more than $11,000 to Australia wildfire relief, has participated in ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students) in Minneapolis for several seasons, and has been a big part in the Wild's Hockey Fights Cancer night.
He is the second consecutive Wild player to win the award; forward Jason Zucker, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 10, won it last year while playing for Minnesota.
"I think I figured that out my first couple years in the League, just being able to kind of break that barrier that comes with being a hockey player and what a stereotypical hockey player looks like," Dumba said about when he realized he could be a role model for younger players. "I don't really fit into the mold, so when I did my first ACES stuff, I come to the schools and I'm just someone that you can relate to, whether it's my skin being a little darker, the tattoos I have, earrings. Some of these kids can relate to that. I think Chris Webber said it the other day: 'If you can't see it, you can't be it', and I hope I empower those kids who look up to me. I'm trying to be as great a role model as I can for this next generation."
Dumba, who was chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, received a $25,000 donation from the National Hockey League Foundation that he will split between ACES and the HDA.

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban, the two runners-up, each received a $5,000 donation. Lundqvist was also a runner-up last year.
"I don't want any of this to be swept under the rug," Dumba said. "This for me is not just a singular moment. It's all part of this journey that I'm committed to and I think I'm going to commit to this my whole life, so this is just the start."
The 2020 NHL Awards had been scheduled for June 18 in Las Vegas but were postponed March 25 because of concerns about the coronavirus.