Former Rebels star Nugent-Hopkins nominated for NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy
Calgary, Alta. – Former Red Deer Rebels star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, now of the Edmonton Oilers, has been named a finalist for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.
The nominees were selected by their respective NHL teams. The winner will be chosen by a selection committee consisting of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as well as former winners of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and the historic NHL Foundation Player Award.
The nominee with the most votes will be named the winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and receive a $25,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of his choice. The winner will also be eligible to elect that his Club receive a grant from the NHL, up to $20,000, to help organize a special activation related to his humanitarian cause.
Nugent-Hopkins, 33, has been deeply involved in the community, with a particular focus and effort placed on fundraising and awareness for cystic fibrosis, serving for nine years as the honourary chair of the Face Off with CF Gala in Edmonton.
On June 20, 2025, Nugent-Hopkins was presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal – a commemorative honour recognizing 30,000 Canadians for significant contributions to their community. Nugent-Hopkins was nominated for the special award by Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Over 15 NHL seasons – all with the Oilers – Nugent-Hopkins has appeared in 1,030 regular season games, amassing 803 points (290G-513A). The product of Burnaby, B.C., was selected by the Oilers first overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Prior to making his mark with the Oilers, Nugent-Hopkins was selected first overall by the Red Deer Rebels in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft. Over 141 career WHL regular season contests, the 6-foot-1, 192-pound pivot registered 177 points (57G-120A) with the Rebels.
The 2009-10 season saw him take home the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL’s Rookie of the Year, after posting 65 points (24G-41A) in 67 games. He finished his WHL career with a 106-point season (31G-75A) in 2010-11, en route to going first overall in the 2011 NHL Draft and eventually making his NHL debut at the age of 18.
First presented following the 1987-88 NHL season, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy has been won by numerous WHL alumni over the years.
WHL Alumni to win King Clancy Memorial Trophy
1987-88: Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames (Medicine Hat Tigers)
1988-89: Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders (Swift Current / Lethbridge Broncos)
1996-97: Trevor Linden, Vancouver Canucks (Medicine Hat Tigers)
1997-98: Kelly Chase, St. Louis Blues (Saskatoon Blades)
2003-04: Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames (Kamloops Blazers)
2005-06: Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals (Tri-City Americans)
2009-10: Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes (Kamloops Blazers)
2013-14: Andrew Ference, Edmonton Oilers (Portland Winterhawks)
2019-20: Mathew Dumba, Minnesota Wild (Red Deer Rebels, Portland Winterhawks)
2022-23: Mikael Backlund, Calgary Flames (Kelowna Rockets)
