CHARACTER COUNTS

Coyotes’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson nominated for King Clancy award

Apr 17, 2019, 2:01 PM | Updated: 3:21 pm

Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Ki...

Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Arizona Coyotes warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on December 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has earned his fair share of recognition during his career with the Arizona Coyotes, and on Monday he earned more prestigious praise, as he was chosen as the Coyotes’ nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the NHL.

The award is given to the player who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice and has made a humanitarian contribution to his surrounding community, similar to the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award and MLB’s Roberto Clemente award.

Over the past couple of years, Ekman-Larsson has been involved with the surrounding Boys & Girls Clubs. In January, the 26-year-old from Sweden partnered with the Arizona Coyotes Foundation to donate $125,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

On the ice, Ekman-Larsson played in 81 games for the Coyotes this season, totaling 14 goals and 30 assists.

This season was Ekman-Larsson’s first as captain of the team, and under his leadership the Coyotes nearly made their first playoff appearance since 2012.

In his nine seasons with the Coyotes, Ekman-Larsson has been selected to two NHL All-Star games and has finished in the top 10 voting for the James Norris Memorial Trophy (top defenseman) twice.

Character Counts

Refugio "Coach Kuko" Juarez at the Arizona Sports studios....

Character Counts

Refugio ‘Coach Kuko’ Juarez named Arizona Sports Coach of the Month

Refugio Juarez has been named as the Arizona Sports Coach of the Month winner for uplifting the soccer players at La Academia in Mesa.

4 days ago

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz talks about new Cardinals defensive player Darius Robinson....

David Veenstra

Arizona Cardinals DL Darius Robinson’s impact goes far beyond the field

Cardinals DL Darius Robinson started his own nonprofit foundation at Missouri and his goal is to host three charitable events each year.

8 days ago

Manager Torey Lovullo (L) and general manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks meet before Ga...

David Veenstra

MLB feature showcases inseparable bond between Diamondbacks’ Hazen and Lovullo

MLB published a short-form documentary centered around the friendship between D-backs general manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo. 

28 days ago

Devin Booker gifts Purdue men's basketball with Book 1s...

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker gifts pair of Final Four teams Nike Book 1s

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker gifted Alabama and Purdue men's basketball teams with Nike Book 1s ahead of the Final Four.

28 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. looks on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. eyeing ways to extend his foundation’s reach in Arizona

Don't let his age fool you, Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. is no stranger to giving back to the communities around him.

2 months ago

Runners take off after the starting gun at Pat's Run in Tempe. The race, will be run on April 13 th...

Character Counts

The 20th annual Pat’s Run set take place in Tempe on April 13

The 20th iteration of Pat's Run is set to take place in Tempe on April 13 to honor the life and legacy of Pat Tillman.

2 months ago

Coyotes’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson nominated for King Clancy award