Mikael Backlund named finalist for King Clancy Award
Calgary Flames centre Mikael Backlund was named a finalist for the King Clancy Award by the NHL Wednesday.
Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers and Anders Lee of the New York Islanders are the other finalists for the award, given "“to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community,” the NHL said in a release.
Backlund supports the ALS Society of Alberta in honour of his late mother-in-law, who died from the disease when his wife Frida was 19 years old.
Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow has also been battling ALS for the past four years. Backlund and Frida have raised over $400,000 and welcomed close to 100 families impacted by ALS to Flames home games.
He's also an ambassador for Kids Cancer Care and Special Olympics Calgary – he has a childhood friend who was diagnosed with cancer and another born with Down syndrome – and has invited 500 people to Flames games.
Most recently, Backlund and his wife partnered to create Lily's Legacy, which allows kids in foster care to keep their pets while they are transitioning into care. It's named after the Backlunds' dog, who passed away in 2021.
“I’ve always been inspired by people who help others that struggle,” Backlund said, in a release. “I am aware that I have been given the opportunity to live a privileged life and know that a small gesture from me can mean the world to other people.”
Nurse is active in a number of community initiatives that focus on diversity and inclusion through the power of sports.
Lee is an active fundraiser for a foundation that helps individuals and families battling cancer.
The winner will be announced at the 2023 NHL Awards in Nashville on Monday, June 26.
They will receive a $25,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of their choice.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.