Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno received the 2025‑26 King Clancy Memorial Trophy on Thursday [1].
The award recognizes the intersection of professional athletics and humanitarianism. By honoring players who demonstrate leadership both on and off the ice, the trophy highlights the influence athletes have in driving public health awareness and community support.
The presentation took place at the Masonic Cancer Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota [2]. The ceremony served as a surprise for Foligno, who was joined by his wife, Natascia Foligno, and their three daughters [3]. His brother and teammate, Nick Foligno, presented the award to him during the event [2].
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership and has made significant humanitarian contributions [4]. Foligno was selected for the 2025‑26 honor due to his extensive work supporting breast‑cancer research and various community outreach initiatives [4], [5].
"I wanted to be here and be a part of this," Foligno said [2].
The event focused on the impact of charitable work within the sports community. By hosting the ceremony at a cancer center, the league emphasized the real-world application of Foligno's philanthropic efforts, specifically his commitment to funding and promoting research for breast cancer [4], [5].
“"I wanted to be here and be a part of this,"”
The selection of Marcus Foligno for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy underscores the NHL's continued emphasis on player-led philanthropy. By centering the award on breast-cancer research and community outreach, the league leverages the visibility of its athletes to bring attention to critical health funding and patient support systems.
