Wilson named Capitals nominee for King Clancy originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

On and off the ice, Tom Wilson makes an impact.

The NHL and the Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday that the 29-year-old forward is the team’s 2023 nominee for the annual King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given to the player who “best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”

Wilson’s main humanitarian contribution this season has been in conjunction with the ‘So Kids Can’ program. One of the charity’s beneficiaries, the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, “cultivates resilience in children experiencing family housing insecurity by providing and expanding access to transformative play experiences.”

Fans who donate to the program through Wilson’s online link between May 9 and June 27 will be entered to win a special prize package which includes two tickets to a Capitals game, a meet-and-greet with Wilson, signed memorabilia and more. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project.

Wilson is no stranger to philanthropy, though. He’s heavily involved with the Make-A-Wish program through his personal program ‘43’s Friends,’ Wolf Trap Animal Rescue, Hockey Fights Cancer, and more initiatives throughout the D.C. area and beyond.

Each NHL team nominates one member of the organization per year for the Clancy Trophy. Washington nominated former forward Garnet Hathaway the previous two seasons. Former New Jersey Devil defenseman P.K. Subban (since retired) won the award last year.

The award’s winner is voted on annually by elect members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and the NHL Broadcasters' Association. One Washington Capital has won the award since it was introduced in 1988: goaltender Olaf Kolzig in 2006.