Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno has been named one of three finalists for the Mark Messier Leadership Award. The award is presented to the best leader in the NHL through his work on and off the ice.
Nick Foligno is the first Columbus Blue Jackets player to be selected as a finalist for the award. Along with him, Mark Giordano of the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf were also selected as finalists.
Unlike most awards where finalists and winners are chosen by media members, this award is chosen by the player it is named after. Mark Messier, the Hall of Fame centerman goes through the process of selecting the finalists alone, despite taking suggestions from people around the league.
All three finalists made the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year with only Getzlaf’s Ducks advancing past the first round. Getzlaf also led the finalists in points, racking up 73 points (15 goals, 58 assists) in just 74 games.
Although their play on the frozen water was great, the work they did off the ice was far more important. Foligno and his wife donated $500,000 to Children’s Hospital in Boston this past November as repayment for saving their daughter with a heart surgery in 2013. They also donated an additional $500,000 to Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
Giordano has helped thousands of high-need students in the Calgary area with his and his wife’s Team Giordano initiative. Team Giordano has provided over $200,000 to students for techonology, field trips, and equipment for school and sports.
Getzlaf has hosted the Getzlaf Golf Shootout for the last seven years to help children that have been affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The event helps raise money to help make the drugs needed available.
Messier has a heavy decision that he must make before June 21 when the winner will be announced. All three, along with numerous others around the league have used their fame and money to impact communities greatly. Not one of these players’ contributions can be understated and they cannot be thanked enough. We hope to have our captain win the award but in the end, we will celebrate Foligno’s generosity no matter what.