On Tuesday, the NHL announced a trio of captains -- Chicago’s Jonathan Toews, Los Angeles’ Dustin Brown and Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf -- had been named finalists for the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given annually to “the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and office the ice, during the regular season.”
From the league:
Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings
Brown has spent his entire 10-year NHL career with the Kings, serving as their captain for the past six campaigns. Known for his physical style of play, he donates $50 per hit to a different charity each season. In 2012-13 and 2013-14, Brown selected Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit. Prior to that, he and his wife partnered with the nonprofit KaBOOM! to raise $70,000 and build a new playground in Carson, Calif., that now hosts more than 100 kids per day. The 29-year-old Ithaca, N.Y., native is a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award for the third time, having also been nominated the past two seasons.
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Getzlaf enjoyed a banner year in 2013-14, scoring a career-high 31 goals and ranking second in the NHL with 87 points to lead the Ducks to their best season in franchise history. Anaheim’s captain since 2010-11, he also has taken leadership role off the ice, highlighted by the annual Getzlaf Golf Shootout. The third such event, hosted in September, raised more than $300,000 for CureDuchenne, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds research for those suffering from the progressive muscle-wasting disease, which impacts one in every 3,500 boys. The 28-year-old Regina, Sask., native is a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award for the first time.
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Toews has served as the captain of the Blackhawks since 2008-09, when he was just 20-years-old. While his leadership on the ice is undisputed, his work with various children’s charitable causes also makes him a role model in the community. Among those efforts, Toews volunteers to grant wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, including a special skating session with 4-year-old Nicholas Skretkowski prior to the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Soldier Field. The 25-year-old Winnipeg native is a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award for the second time after finishing as a runner-up in 2012-13.
The league has been handing out the award since the 2006-07, when Chris Chelios took home the inaugural honors. Winners since then include Mats Sundin, Jarome Iginla, Sidney Crosby, Zdeno Chara, Shane Doan and last year’s winner, Daniel Alfredsson.