The Stars announced yesterday that Jason Spezza was voted by the team as Dallas’ nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy.
The award is given annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
This season, Spezza finished third on the Stars in points (15 goals, 35 assists), and his continued involvement with the Jason Spezza Scholarship Fund gave kids the necessary funds and equipment to play hockey.
During the 2016-17 campaign, he recorded 50 points (15-35=50) and donated a total of $15,000 to the fund. In honor of Spezza’s commitment to North Texas, Texas Land and Cattle donated an additional $10,000 to bring the contribution total during the 2016-17 campaign to $25,000. In total, Spezza and Texas Land and Cattle have raised $100,000 over the last two seasons for the scholarship fund.
There’s more on Spezza’s nomination at the link. [Stars]
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Sean McIndoe names the teams that non-playoff squads should try to emulate. For the Stars, he says that’s the Ducks. [Sportsnet]
Tim Cowlishaw talks about what Ken Hitchcock’s priorities should be in Dallas. [SportsDayDFW]
There was plenty of playoff excitement to go around last night.
- The Predators cruised to 4-1 win, sweeping the Blackhawks 4-0. (Just like Robert predicted. Thanks, Robert!) [On the Forecheck]/
All of Tennessee was on their feet at this moment. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/PfhrhAN2RL
— NHL (@NHL) April 21, 2017
- The Penguins put away the Blue Jackets, winning 5-2 to advance to the next round. [Pensburgh]/
FINAL: @penguins (5) – @BlueJacketsNHL (2)@Discover Recap: https://t.co/vGpv8R0ud2
PIT wins 4-1#StanleyCup #PITvsCBJ pic.twitter.com/RDveJCZlka— NHL (@NHL) April 21, 2017
- The Rangers and the Canadiens needed overtime to settle things, but the Blueshirts prevailed, winning 3-2 and taking a 3-2 lead in the series./
MIKA!!!!!!!! #BLUESHIRTS WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/ZbnL7HP8Bh
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 21, 2017
- David Desharnais scored in overtime to give the Oilers a 3-2 series lead over the Sharks./
David Desharnais wins it in overtime for the Oilers, Edmonton takes a 3-2 series lead pic.twitter.com/zkmmWXk6pw
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 21, 2017
NHL linesman Don Henderson is suing Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman and the team for $10.25 million. [Puck Daddy]
General manager Tim Murray and head coach Dan Bylsma are both out in Buffalo. [Die by the Blade]
Meet this year’s Calder Trophy finalists.
Matthews (@MapleLeafs), Laine (@NHLJets) and Werenski (@BlueJacketsNHL) voted Calder Trophy finalists. #NHLAwards https://t.co/GkH6x8Zuvb
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 20, 2017
Amy Menke says goodbye to the University of North Dakota women’s hockey program and the close-knit community it created. [The Players’ Tribune]
And finally, Jamie Benn talks about Jordie Benn’s Stanley Cup chances in Montreal.
“If he wins the #StanleyCup, you probably won’t see anyone more excited than me.”
Jamie talks to @MikeHeika of @SportsDayDFW about Jordie. pic.twitter.com/4VR92e8vWU
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 20, 2017