Anders Lee named finalist for King Clancy Memorial Trophy

New York Islanders captain Anders Lee has been named a finalist for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, the award given out annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.

Lee has served as an ambassador for Jam Kancer In The Kan since 2016, an organization that hosts Kan Jam tournaments to raise funds that go towards helping those that have been diagnosed with cancer. Lee first became involved with the organization after hearing a speech from Fenov Pierre-Louis, a cancer patient battling a Stage 4 Neuroblastoma diagnosis. The two developed a close relationship before Pierre-Louis passed away on July 18, 2018, at the age of 17.

I can’t put this into anything, let alone a tweet, about the impact you’ve had on me Fenov. You came into my life, so many peoples lives, you changed them, you changed me. What was contagious wasn’t your disease, it was your smile. Rest In Peace Brother. This fight isn’t over. pic.twitter.com/x7wXatLkFl

— Anders Lee (@leeberr09) July 19, 2018

In honor of Pierre-Louis, the Islanders’ captain has awarded multiple $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are continuing their education in college and that have provided help and sympathy to someone with cancer.

Lee has been nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy five times and is a finalist this year along with Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers and Mikael Backlund of the Calgary Flames.

Doug Weight (2011) and Bryan Trottier (1989) have previously won the award while playing for the Islanders.

The Islanders will now have two players in attendance at the NHL Awards, as Lee will join his teammate Ilya Sorokin, who is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.

The NHL Awards will take place on June 26 at 8 p.m. in Nashville, TN.