The NHL recently announced the 32 team nominees for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the player who “best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” The Flyers nominee is Scott Laughton.
Laughton has been involved in numerous programs and initiatives during his time in Philadelphia. This season, the Flyers paired each player with a local charity. Turns out Laughton was an instrumental factor in recruiting the entire roster in the organizations first-ever Player Community Match program.
Laughton, along with James van Riemsdyk, continued to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community with their Flyers Pride Initiative. The two would host members of said community at a total of 20 home games. They would also have a post game meet and greet while giving out Flyers-related merchandise as well.
Laughton didn’t stop there, he was also the team’s Hockey is for Everyone ambassador as well as the NHL’s You Can Play ambassador. He also committed to being an official ambassador for the Alphabet Sports Collective, a Canada-based, queer-led non-profit organization. Its Board of Directors features names such as Brock McGillis, one of its founders, and Kurtis Gabriel, a former member of the Flyers organization.
Furthermore, Laughton has also been involved with the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. There he became a RMCH Companion and had guests from his wedding provide donations for the RMCH’s Adopt-A-Room sponsorship instead of giving him and his wife gifts
"“It’s a huge honor for myself to be very involved in the community where I was drafted, grown up, and now live,” Laughton said in a press release from the Flyers. “A lot of credit goes to my wife, Chloe, who’s such a big part of this. The nomination is something that means a lot to me and I’m very grateful because Philadelphia has given me so much and I want to always give back. Giving back, being a part of this community and to be a voice for various groups and organizations, I take great pride in it, and I believe is part of our responsibility.”"
As the only player to wear a letter on his jersey this season, Laughton set career highs in numerous in all standard offensive categories, as well as a few others. He had highs in goals (18), assists (25), points (43), power play points (9), and shorthanded points (7) just to name a few.
He is one point away from 200 points in the NHL as he will be heading into his 11th season, all with the Flyers.
The three finalists for the King Clancy Trophy will be announced later this month while the winner will be unveiled during the NHL Awards on June 26.