NHL gives Aleksander Barkov the Selke and King Clancy awards - with the help of kids
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Turns out, there was a good reason — two of them, actually.
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The Panthers hadn't had an opportunity to spend any time at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital — a facility Barkov works with and raises money for — during their playoff run, so the team decided to bring some of the patients into the team facility for a visit instead. And the kids came bearing gifts for Barkov.
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'I thought maybe some picture, some art that they had drawn for me,' Barkov said.
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He hopped over the back row of seats in the Panthers' theater-style meeting room and went down to meet the kids. And imagine his surprise when the 'gifts' were brought in — first the King Clancy Trophy that gets awarded to the player that combines leadership on and off the ice with humanitarian work, then the Selke Trophy that gets presented to the NHL's best defensive forward.
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The awards were technically awarded to Barkov last week; they were announced by the NHL on Monday. It's the third Selke for Barkov, and the first King Clancy.
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'It was amazing,' Barkov told The Associated Press. 'I got a little emotional there. I didn't really have words to say. That was very nicely done, and I was really thankful for everyone who was part of it.'
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The NHL is announcing the winners of top individual awards a little differently this year, adding surprise elements with only a handful of people knowing what is happening ahead of time. The NHL and TNT had cameras and microphones inside the team meeting room for the Barkov announcement, which might have been a sign that something unusual was happening that day.
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And the Barkov surprises were sold perfectly, too.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice was standing in his customary spot in the front of the room, purportedly waiting for another speaker and wondering if they were locked out. He opened the door on the room's right side so hockey operations president and general manager Bill Zito could walk in, and Zito went right into character.
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Zito introduced one of the young patients, under the guise of presenting Barkov with 'a little thank-you gift.' The boy spoke for a few seconds, finishing with 'bring in the gift,' and that's when someone from the NHL carried the Clancy into the room.
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'Thank you, guys,' Barkov said, holding the Clancy while addressing the handful of kids and their family members who were invited to be part of the surprise. 'Obviously, I was not expecting this. Not really too many words to say right now, but it means a lot and obviously, you guys — well, I'm a little emotional here — but I love how you guys showed up here.'
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CBC
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CBC
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Former Boston Bruins forward Lyndon Byers dies at 61
'His rugged, rough-and-tumble style ... was a key cog on the Bruins teams that made trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 1988 and 1990.' IMG_5329_296725301.png Former Regina Pats power forward Lyndon Byers, who played parts of 10 NHL seasons after being a second-round draft choice in 1982, has died at 61. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Byers was a 6-foot-1, 200-pound enforcer for the Boston Bruins, where he spent nine seasons before completing his NHL career in 1992-93 with the San Jose Sharks. In 379 regular-season games he had 28 goals, 43 assists and 1,021 penalty minutes. According to he was in 92 NHL fights. The team released a social media statement on Saturday, one day after his death: 'The Boston Bruins are deeply saddened by the passing of Lyndon Byers. Lyndon was a fan favorite (sic) across his nine seasons in the Black & Gold thanks to his rugged, rough-and-tumble style and was a key cog on the B's teams that made trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 1988 and 1990.' A cause of death was not revealed. Byers' wife, Anne, also posted about his passing on social media and said a memorial service is being planned: 'It is with deep regret that I have to announce that LB passed away yesterday morning. (Son) Will and I are still working to process this news … we recognize how many people loved and cared for him and considered him a friend.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Boston selected Byers 39th overall in the 1982 NHL draft. Byers also played for nine franchises in the International and American leagues. 'He was a bubbly, infectious, larger-than-life guy,' said former Pats broadcaster Kevin Gallant. 'He was driven and we knew he was going to make it to the NHL. So much fun to be around and a great defender of his teammates, which is what makes this loss so hard because he was such a popular guy.' Born in Nipawin, Byers played midget hockey at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox before starting a three-season stint with Regina in 1981-82. In 185 WHL regular-season games he had 82 goals, 120 assists and 476 penalty minutes. The Pats were league finalists in his first and third seasons, losing to the Portland Winter Hawks and Kamloops Oilers respectively. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A beloved personality in the Boston area, Byers spent 25 years as a radio broadcaster following his retirement. Read More The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe. Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists Crime Toronto & GTA Ontario
