Marcus Foligno Wins King Clancy Memorial Trophy for 2026: A Leader On and Off the Ice
Marcus Foligno, a player for the Minnesota Wild, has been honored with the prestigious King Clancy Memorial Trophy for the year 2026. This award recognizes a player who demonstrates exceptional leadership both on and off the ice. Foligno, along with his family, established the Janis Foligno Foundation in memory of his mother, Janis, who lost her battle with breast cancer. The foundation aims to support breast cancer research and raise awareness about the disease. Marcus' brother, Nick, also won the award in 2017 while playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Foligno brothers organized the Foligno Face-Off, a fundraising campaign as part of Hockey Fights Cancer, in collaboration with the NHL, NHLPA, and the V Foundation. This initiative raised over $200,000 for breast cancer research, with all donations dedicated to funding a new research grant named in honor of their late mother. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Foligno will receive a $25,000 donation from the NHL to donate to a charity of his choice. Additionally, the Minnesota Wild may receive a grant of up to $20,000 from the NHL to support a special activation related to Foligno's humanitarian efforts.
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner is selected by a committee that includes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, former recipients of the award, and the NHL Foundation Player Award winners. Each team nominates a player for this prestigious honor, with the recipient being chosen based on their exemplary leadership qualities and charitable contributions. Last season's winner, Aleksander Barkov, partnered with the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital to make generous donations for each goal and assist he recorded, in addition to other charitable endeavors.
In conclusion, Marcus Foligno's dedication to supporting breast cancer research and his leadership both on and off the ice have earned him the esteemed King Clancy Memorial Trophy for 2026. His commitment to making a positive impact in the community exemplifies the spirit of this award, recognizing players who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others.