Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews won the 2015 Mark Messier Leadership Award, given “to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season.,” on Wednesday at the NHL Awards Show in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Mark Messier solicits suggestions from the club and league personnel as well as NHL fans to compile a list of potential candidates for the award. However, the selection of finalists and ultimate winner by Messier alone.
Toews was named the Hawks captain when he was just 20-years-old, and he led the club with 28 goals, 38 assists for 66 points in the 2014-15 regular season to lead the team to their seventh consecutive postseason berth.
Off the ice, he has worked with the community through Make-A-Wish visits and the Four Feathers Golf Invitational. He also served as the honorary chairperson for the Israel Idonije Fundraiser, which helps underserved communities by providing programs focused on social and emotional life skills; supported The Winnipeg Foundation in creating its Nourishing Potential campaign; and contented his role with Misericordia, a Chicago group that offers care for those with mid to profound developmental disabilities.
Toews won the award over former teammate and Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd and Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf. He is the first Hawks player to receive the award.
The award was first presented in 2007 to Chris Cheilos.
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