Marcus Foligno of the Minnesota Wild received the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy this week for his leadership and humanitarian contributions [1].
The award recognizes athletes who combine high-level professional performance with a commitment to community service. For Foligno, the honor highlights the intersection of professional sports and public health advocacy in the U.S. [2].
Foligno was presented with the trophy at the Masonic Cancer Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota [1]. The ceremony occurred in June 2026 following the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL season [2].
The league said Foligno's on-ice leadership and his extensive philanthropic efforts were the primary reasons for the selection [3]. Central to these efforts is the Foligno Face Off Fundraising Campaign, an initiative established in memory of his mother, Janis Foligno, who died [1].
According to league records, the campaign has raised more than $200,000 [1] for breast-cancer research. In addition to the trophy, the NHL will donate $25,000 [1] to a charity of Foligno's choice.
"I wanted to be here and be a part of this," Foligno said [2].
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice, and has worked tirelessly in the community [3]. Foligno's work at the Masonic Cancer Center underscores the impact professional athletes can have on local medical research and patient support systems [1].
“The campaign has raised more than $200,000 for breast-cancer research.”
The presentation of the King Clancy Trophy to Foligno emphasizes the NHL's continued strategy of linking player brands with specific health causes. By highlighting the Foligno Face Off Fundraising Campaign, the league leverages the visibility of professional sports to drive funding and awareness for breast-cancer research, effectively turning athletic platforms into conduits for public health philanthropy.
