The NHL released its three finalists for the 2015-16 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award on Wednesday.
The award, which was first handed out in 2007, is given “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season.”
This year’s finalists are Alex Ovechkin, John Tavares and Shea Weber.
Messier himself selects the winner, who will be named during the 2016 NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 22.
Ovechkin has served as the Washington Capitals‘ captain since 2010. This year, he led his team to the Presidents’ Trophy and a franchise-record 56 wins, while reaching the 50-goal milestone for the seventh time in his career.
Ovechkin received Washingtonian Magazine’s “Washingtonian of the Year” award for his work with special needs children through his involvement with the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) and the continuation of his “Ovi’s Crazy 8s” program.
New York Islanders captain John Tavares has continued his Teammates Program over the past five seasons to help create VIP game experiences for sick and underprivileged children. His fundraising efforts have also aided the Islanders in hosting over 300 active and retired service members during the Islanders’ Military Appreciation Night.
Shea Weber has been recognized for his charity work in Nashville and his hometown of Sicamous, B.C.
The Nashville Predators captain has worked with teammate Pekka Rinne to create the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund to raise money for patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Weber also hosts a golf tournament in Sicamous to support the B.C. Cancer Society.
