Blake Wheeler named Jets nominee for King Clancy

Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler has been named his club’s nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The league announced the 31 nominees via press release on Monday afternoon.

First awarded in 1987-88, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy 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 three finalists for the award will be announced in early August, with the winner announced during the conference finals. The first-place finisher will receive a $25,000 donation from the National Hockey League Foundation to benefit a charity or charities of his choice. The two runners-up each will receive a $5,000 donation from the National Hockey League Foundation to benefit a charity or charities of their choice.

Wheeler, 33, has been with the Jets since their relocated from Atlanta in 2011. He’s served as their captain since 2016. He was a finalist for the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2017-18 and has been a major part of the Jets various community initiatives. Kris King won the King Clancy while with the Jets in 1995-96.