Colton Parayko Named Blues’ Nominee for King Clancy Trophy 2025-26

The NHL has announced its nominees for the 2025-26 King Clancy Trophy, and the St. Louis Blues have selected veteran defenseman Colton Parayko as their representative. This prestigious award recognizes the player who best exemplifies leadership both on and off the ice, along with significant humanitarian contributions to their community.

Each NHL team put forth a nominee who embodies these essential qualities. A committee, which includes NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and previous King Clancy Trophy winners, will evaluate each nomination based on the individual’s inspiration, community involvement, and positive impact. The nominee who garners the most votes will not only receive the trophy but also a $25,000 donation to a charity of their choosing. Additionally, the winner can secure up to $20,000 in grant funding from the NHL for their team to support their humanitarian efforts.

In the history of the Blues, only one player has ever won this accolade: Kelly Chase in the 1997-98 season. In a press release, the Blues highlighted Parayko’s extensive community work since he joined the team in 2015. He has become a well-known figure at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, while also engaging in various charitable initiatives both locally and in his native Alberta.

In 2021, Parayko took his commitment to philanthropy a step further by launching Project 55, a foundation dedicated to supporting hospitalized children and their families. This initiative not only provides financial assistance but also emotional support, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to help families during challenging times. Project 55 also creates memorable experiences for these families; throughout the season, Parayko invites patients and their families to Blues home games at Enterprise Center, offering them an all-inclusive experience complete with game tickets, team merchandise, and a postgame meet-and-greet.

On the ice, the 32-year-old defenseman has contributed three goals and 17 points in 73 games this season. He also claimed a silver medal with Team Canada at the Olympics and is on track to reach 800 career NHL games if he competes in all of the Blues’ remaining contests.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.