Matt Dumba wins 2020 King Clancy Memorial Trophy

The winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community,” has been announced. And it’s going to none other than Matt Dumba.

This is the second consecutive season that a Minnesota Wild player was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. Former Wild forward Jason Zucker won the award last season for his efforts with the #Give16 campaign.

We’ve spoken ad nauseam about Dumba’s many contributions off the ice over the last few months. Not only has he donated a significant amount of money for those impacted by COVID-19, but he also donated over $11,000 for Australian wild fire relief while continuing to serve as a player representative for ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students).

More notable, however, have been Dumba’s efforts to bring awareness to North America’s ongoing racial inequality issues. He’s already donated $100,000 to those in the Lake Street community impacted by the fallout from the murder of George Floyd, and he also delivered one of the most important speeches in recent hockey memory before a play-in contest between the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, becoming the first player in NHL history to kneel for the national anthem.

Dumba continues to fight the good fight as a member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. Led by San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane and former NHLer Akim Aliu, Dumba joins Buffalo Sabres forward Wayne Simmonds, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Trevor Daley, Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris Stewart and former NHLer Joel Ward as members of the HDA’s executive committee.

Dumba’s 2019-20 season may not have been anything to write home about, but he still ended up making a bigger impact in the hockey world than anyone could have hoped for.

Congrats to Matt Dumba, and here’s to many more years of memories in Minnesota.