RELEASE: Nurse named finalist for King Clancy Trophy

EDMONTON, AB - For the second consecutive season, Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse has been selected as a finalist for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is 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 28-year-old from Hamilton, Ont., has been active in several community initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion through the power of sports. As an ambassador for Free Play for Kids, he helps provide marginalized children -- many of whom are refugees, new Canadians or Indigenous youth -- with the opportunity to play sports in a safe, accessible and inclusive environment. Nurse also serves as an ambassador for Right To Play, which aims to protect, educate and empower children to rise above adversity through sports.

"As a professional athlete, a Canadian, a father and the son of an immigrant, I truly believe that it is up to me to use my position and platform to help others like me," Nurse said. "Like standing up for my teammates on the ice, I am here for the kids who need me -- that's what is important to me and that will never change."

Nurse expanded his humanitarianism by creating the Darnell Nurse Excellence Scholarship in 2021, teaming up with his high school alma mater in Hamilton to award two scholarships each year to deserving students pursuing post-secondary aspirations. He also has been a prominent youth mentor, sponsored players in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), and supported food banks and various healthcare initiatives during the pandemic.

The King Clancy Trophy nominees were selected by their respective NHL teams, and the winner will be chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

The other finalists are Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund and New York Islanders forward Anders Lee. The King Clancy Trophy winner will be revealed live during the 2023 NHL Awards at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Monday, June 26.

The first-place finisher will receive a $25,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of his choice, while the two runners-up will each receive a $5,000 donation.

The Video: COMMUNITY | Nurse King Clancy that concludes June 19 and is at nearly $3.5 million is part of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation's Hockey for All Kids in Oil Country initiative in partnership with Free Play for Kids, KidSport Alberta, Sport Central and the Hockey Alberta Foundation.