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… Award to be Handed Out at NHL Awards Show on June 22 …
Detroit, MI… Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom has been selected by his teammates as the Red Wings’ 2010-11 King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominee. This honor is annually awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy contribution in his community. The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards Show on June 22nd.
On the ice, Lidstrom posted his best offensive season since 2007-08 this year with 16 goals and 46 assists for 62 points at the age of 40, becoming the oldest NHL defenseman to record 60 points in a single season. He ranks fourth all-time in Detroit history in games played (1,494) and points (1,108).
With a career spanning 19 seasons, the Swedish defenseman has a laundry list of accomplishments, including four Stanley Cup titles (1997, ’98, 2002, ’08), one Olympic gold medal (2006), six Norris Trophies in the last nine seasons and the Conn Smythe Trophy (2002). He has also been named to 12 NHL All-Star Games, including being tabbed captain of Team Lidstrom at this year’s NHL All-Star Game.
Whether he is lending his image for a poster to support soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, meeting a sick child after a practice or game or making an appearance at a local school, Lidstrom is an active member in the Metro Detroit community.
Lidstrom visited the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, which is a 758-bed nursing home for military veterans, as part of the team’s third annual Community Relations Tour right before the start of training camp in September. “Everyone involved enjoyed it very much,” activity therapy manager Tiffany Carr explained. “It’s this kind of activity that makes life more pleasurable for our residents.”
Later that same day, Lidstrom along with four of his teammates stopped at Churchill Elementary School in Muskegon, Mich., where forward Justin Abdelkader had attended school as a kid. Following a 45-minute Q&A session, Lidstrom posed for photos with each grade and high-fived every single student as they exited the gym at the end of the assembly.
Each year, the team makes its annual trip to Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit to bring some holiday cheer to the patients getting treatment. As the team spokesman, Lidstrom addresses the media, staff and fellow teammates with a brief speech to kick off the hospital visit.
Lidstrom joined Red Wings’ radio play-by-play announcer Ken Kal at Field Elementary School in Canton, Mich., back in January to talk to 570 kids about the importance of eating healthy and staying active. “He took the time to individually support their new learning, through encouragement and special attention,” principal Peter Kudlak said. “He was engaging, personable and positive with every student.”
Past winners of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy include former Red Wings player Brendan Shanahan, who started a smoke detector collection initiative during the 2002-03 season.
