Lecavalier awarded King Clancy Trophy

Chalk up another award for superstar center Vinny Lecavalier. The Ile Bizard, Quebec, native was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy Thursday night at the NHL's award show in Toronto. The trophy is given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to the community.

Lecavalier's foundation in October pledged $3-million to help construct the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Players from each team nominate a teammate for the award and a select group of professional hockey writers and broadcasters determines the winner.

"It's a great honor, but I do it for the kids and the community," Lecavalier said during a phone call. "I've been in Tampa a long time. When you see kids going through those battles like cancer, it makes you want to help them even more."

 

Comments

[Twinebulge]

I'm on board with the statuary concept...only after players have retired. A little goes a long, long way here.

But then you have to ask yourself...why a statue, but no #25 hanging in the rafters? Jay's explanation to me was they are waiting until after they codify what criteria they will use to retire numbers before doing it. Dave was a great captain, was here when the team was losing 50 games, assisted in the turnaround and led the team by example to a championship through intensely hard work and a sheer, heaving effort of the will. To me that qualifies more than, say, Ray Bourque dropping in for one playoff run and then getting his #77 in the rafters in Denver. IMO that was a bit of ridiculous over-the-top showboating by the Avalanche, the unquestionable greatness of Bourque notwithstanding. His jersey hangs in Boston where it rightly belongs.

[Nan]

Congrats to Vinny! I am glad that someone recognizes him as a leader both on and off the ice! Hopefully the new owner and coach will also recognize him as such and hand him the "C", he is definitely worthy of it. First of course is resigning him for the rest of his career here! Nice idea about the statues, VOTT!

[The Voice of the Turtle]

DIZ and KenB might enjoy this:

I had an opportunity to talk to Bill Chadwick in the 70's and found him to be very gracious and friendly. Although I was a stranger to him, he was easy to engage in active conversation.

In those days the Rangers had some strong players but could not seem to get the best out of them. People thought the team was overpaid (even by the standards at that time) and spoiled by media attention. Bill brought up a point that still may be relevant today in terms of seeming Ranger suboptimization.

He indicated that players from other teams always seemed to try harder because of the great traditions and national spotlight in the garden and the enormous impact of playing before the electric crowd in the Big Apple. Montreal and Toronto teams have always had the same problem.

The Big Whistle said that the refs felt it too, even the most experienced ones. He seemed like a very sincere, likable, and open guy to me.

[skp]

Tim:
"Hockey players are the best athletes/people ... What is the biggest scandal we have heard involving an NHL player ???"

I think one of the Staal brothers was caught up in some noise ordinance violation\underage drinking mishap....somebody stop these thugs before they destroy the sport!

seriously, NHL players are the most consistent good citizens of any pro sport. it's amazing that all the money doesn't ruin more of these guys as it does in other sports, and it should be held up not just as an example to the kids but to their peers in the NBA, NFL, etc

agree that it's ironic that this award goes to a player on a team that opted to go captainless this year...

[KenB]

DIZ, That brought back a flood of memories... Chadwick couldn't see and Clancy couldn't hear too well, they both kind of stared at the mic while telling the best Hockey stories... Loved Chadwick's analogies, "A goalie without a stick is like a bank without a pen".

[DIZ]

Am I the only guy who grew up listening to NY Ranger games on the radio when "The Big Whistle" Bill Chadwick used to interveiw KIng Clancy of the Maple Leafs beteen periods? A laugh a minute between two oldtimers talking hockey.

[Matt]

Hmmm, an award for leadership on and off the ice, and being named Captain of the All-Star game in the same year. Yet Tortorella thought it would be better for the Bolts to go with no Captain throughout the year. I guess he didn't think Vinny deserved it, Good Call Torts.....

Bring on the a new coach who has a bit more respect for Vinny(best player on this team and arguably the best in the NHL).

[Hockey Chic]

I could not agree more with all the posters. Vinny is indeed a class act.

It is so refreshing to hear great things being said about great guys and the things they do for others in our community.The entire organization and community is very lucky to have such a fine individual in our midst.

I am in agreement with Lisa that it will be nice to see Vinny all healed, rested and ready to roll this season.

Congrats.....

Go Bolts!!

[Tom M]

Congrats to Vinny on an honor well deserved...definitely has matured into a class hockey player and even a classier human being.

[Lisa]

I agree with you completely, Voice of the turtle. When you hear all the horrible things some of these athletes do, it makes you even prouder of players like Vinny who give back so much to the community. It would be only right for the community to show appreciation back to them with their statues in front of the Forum.

[Tim]

Hockey players are the best athletes/people ... What is the biggest scandal we have heard involving an NHL player ??? There isn't one...

Congratulations Vinny .. I am proud to be a Lightning Fan...

[The Voice of the Turtle]

I'd like to see Vinny get a career-long contract, the team captaincy, and the key to the city.

I think it is time for us to take stock of our heroes in grand fashion and build some mighty hockey traditions in this town to inspire players and fans alike. The Lightning could start by putting tasteful statues in front of the forum for all to see and admire. Certainly Dave Andreychuk, Vinny Lecavalier (even though he's not nearly yet retired), and founder Phil Esposito belong there. Ultimately, a very strong case could certainly be made for Marty St. Louis as well.

We are so fortunate to have guys like these in our midst and part of our community. I'd be very pleased to chip in a contribution for that statuary if a movement was started. It would be appropriate for all to know what they mean to us.

Thanks and congratulations to Vincent Lecavalier!

[keith]

Ditto all the above.
When ESPN is full of news of overpaid thug athletes like Pac man Jones, its a little piece of affirmation of the good side of human nature to read about guys like Vinny. I'm sure there will be plenty more to come for deeds on and of the ice.
Well done!

[Lisa]

What a class act, and always humble. We are proud to have Vinny in our community. Take care, Vinny, we are looking forward to seeing you completely recovered on the ice again, soon.

[Don in St. Pete]

Vinny, Congrats on your latest in a long line of awards. Here's hoping your shoulder is continuing to improve and you are on schedule for training camp and a new chapter in the history of the Tampa Bay Lightning!

[Natalie]

Congratulations on a well deserved award. Goes to show what great humanitarians can be found in this great sport. Felicitations!