Rangers goaltender named a finalist for the second consecutive season
NEW YORK, August 14, 2020 – The National Hockey League announced today that Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been named a finalist for the 2019-20 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” Lundqvist was also named a finalist for the award last season. Over his 15 seasons with the Rangers, Lundqvist has not only established himself as one of the greatest players in franchise history, but also as an exceptional ambassador in the New York Metropolitan Area.
In April of 2014, Henrik and his wife, Therese, founded the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation (HLF). Through its fundraising efforts and community outreach, HLF strives to create positive change in the lives of children and adults throughout the world through education and health services. HLF’s four charitable partners span from New York City to Sweden to the Dominican Republic, and since its inception, over $3.2 million has been raised to benefit HLF community partners, and HLF’s own program, the HLF Young Ambassador Program. In addition, HLF has directly given grants and made commitments of over $1.5 million supporting children’s health and education.
In January of 2009, Lundqvist became the official spokesperson for the Garden of Dreams Foundation (GDF), and in 2012 he received the Garden of Dreams Hero Award, which annually honors a person or organization who embodies the spirit and commitment of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, with active, on-going dedication to children facing obstacles. Over the last six seasons, Lundqvist has hosted approximately 1,450 children from various Garden of Dreams partner organizations and their families in “Henrik’s Crease” for a Rangers game experience at MSG, courtesy of donations from HLF. Lundqvist’s support and active involvement helped Garden of Dreams Foundation raise $650,000 during the 2019-20 season, including over $330,000 during the Rangers’ annual Casino Night.
Through the HLF Young Ambassadors Program, which was created in 2015, Lundqvist has also helped inspire young people to make a difference in the world. The Program is open to young women and men ages 12-18 who reside in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, and over a nine-month period, requires Young Ambassadors to complete 15 hours of community service, organize one independent service project in support of HLF’s mission, team up with HLF on a service project, and make a presentation to his/her class, team or other community group about HLF’s mission and his/her work as an HLFYA.
Lundqvist has also been active in relief efforts around the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the Fanatics “ALL IN Challenge”, Lundqvist auctioned off his game-worn mask from the 2010-11 season to benefit Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, World Central Kitchen and No Kid Hungry, and the mask was sold for $37,000. Through HLF, Henrik and Therese donated $100,000 to feed New Yorkers in need, which provided approximately 68,000 meals and helped approximately 8,000 children and their families. In addition, HLF encouraged supporters & Young Ambassadors to help with additional donations to the Food Bank, which raised in excess of $5,000.
On the ice, Lundqvist has established over 50 franchise records during his 15 seasons with the Rangers, including all-time records for wins (459), appearances by a goaltender (887), shutouts (64), save percentage (min. 75 appearances – .918), playoff appearances (by either a skater or goaltender – 130), playoff wins (61), playoff shutouts (10), and playoff save percentage (min. 10 appearances – .921). Lundqvist won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s Best Goaltender in 2011-12, and he has been named a finalist for the award in four other seasons throughout his tenure with the Rangers (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2012-13). A five-time NHL All-Star (2009, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019), Lundqvist was named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team in 2011-12, the NHL’s Second All- Star Team in 2012-13, and the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2005-06.
Lundqvist has earned numerous team awards as a member of the Rangers. He has been named the team’s Most Valuable Player in nine different seasons, including seven consecutive seasons from 2006-07 – 2012-13. Lundqvist has twice been named the winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award (2005-06 and 2017-18), which is presented annually to the Ranger who, as chosen by the fans, “goes above and beyond the call of duty.” He has also received the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award as the Rangers’ Best Rookie in Training Camp (2005), the John Halligan Good Guy Award for cooperation with the media (2007-08), the Rangers Fan Club Frank Boucher Trophy as the team’s Most Popular Player on and off the ice (2006-07 and 2009-10), the Rangers Fan Club Rookie of the Year (2005-06), and the Rangers Fan Club Ceil Saidel Memorial Award for Dedication to the Organization on and off the ice (2005-06 and 2008-09) during his career.