With NHL Awards set for June 24 in Las Vegas, our writers make a case for each nominee — Dustin Brown, Ryan Getzlaf and Jonathan Toews — winning the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, which is awarded “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season.” Which player is most deserving of the hardware?
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Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings
Dustin Brown won’t get a whole lotta love for this award, but there’s still a case to be made for the six-year captain of the Kings.
Let’s be honest, Brown isn’t the most popular player in the league. He has a reputation for being a dirty player who uses knees and elbows with crippling effect. But know who else was known for being a dirty player? The man this award is named after: Mark Messier.
No, Dustin Brown is not Mark Messier, but he is a hard-nosed player who is a pain to play against and “gets the boys fired up” with his physical style of play, opening up space and time for his more gifted linemates.
And although Brown had the worst statistical season of his career in 2013-14, he made up for it by doing all the little things that help teams win. And we all know how much the NHL values intangibles.
— Mack Liddell
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Is there a better captain in the National Hockey League than Ryan Getzlaf? I don’t think so.
Getzlaf is everything you want in a hockey player — specifically, your favourite team’s captain. He’s tough, skilled, tenacious and will do whatever it takes to help his team win. Look no further than his willingness to block a slap shot with his face in the Anaheim Ducks’ first-round series with the Dallas Stars, then play with an NFL-kicker style faceshield in the very next game. Despite missing Game 4, Getzlaf still managed to post a team-high seven points in five games.
Plus, look at the regular season Getzlaf had. Playing for the Western Conference’s top team, Getzlaf finished second to only Sidney Crosby in points, registering a career-high 31 goals.
Yet his leadership extends beyond the ice, as Getzlaf takes time for people off-ice too. He’s a thoughtful quote and a man of great character. He annually hosts the Getzlaf Golf Shootout in Costa Mesa, Calif., to raise awareness and money for muscular dystrophy, and this year’s event raised $300,000 for CureDuchenne.
— Pat Pickens
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Jonathan Toews is, hands down, the NHL’s best leader.
Since being named captain of the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2008-09 at the age of 20(!), Toews has led his team to two division titles, six consecutive post-season appearances, and two Stanley Cups over the last three years.
Also up for the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward, Toews’ leadership off the ice is equally undeniable. As noted in the NHL’s explanation of Toews’ nomination, the Winnipeg native is involved in numerous charitable organizations in the Chicago community, which included granting four-year-old Nicholas Skretkowski’s wish prior to this year’s Stadium Series game at Solider Field:
How can you not love this guy?
Toews, who turns 26 on Tuesday, has been an exemplary leader and teammate since breaking into the NHL in 2007 but would never take any of the credit, despite the 180-degree turnaround the franchise has undergone since Toews was drafted third overall in 2006.
— Geoff Lowe
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