Jacob Trouba of the New York Rangers was named the winner of the 2023-24 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award on Tuesday. The honor, named for the former captain of the Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks, is presented annually to “the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.”
On the ice, Trouba helped lead the Rangers to the Presidents’ Trophy during the regular season, when they established franchise records for wins (55) and points (114). The Rangers lead the Eastern Conference Second Round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs 3-2 against the Carolina Hurricanes and can advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years with one more win against Carolina.
The Rangers captain notched three goals and 19 assists in 69 regular-season games. He led the team in shorthanded ice time with 2:51 per game and was fourth on the team in average ice time per game at 21:15. In the playoffs, he has one goal (shorthanded) and three assists in nine games.
Trouba is widely respected for his leadership skills with the Rangers and is a strong veteran presence in the Blueshirts locker room.
“I’m a big believer in diversity among leaders,” Trouba explained . “Everyone brings their own game and their own way of leading. I think there’s a lot of strength in numbers. Obviously, it starts with our team and our coaches. It’s been a pretty long journey the past couple of years for me to learn about leadership.
Jacob Trouba first Rangers player to win Mark Messier Leadership Award
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Off the ice, Trouba’s contributions to the community and to the game of hockey have been remarkable. He has been a large part of The Garden of Dreams Foundation, Hockey Fights Cancer, and the Rangers Youth Hockey Camp, which has helped children ages 6-12 in the Metropolitan area learn the game of hockey.
In addition, he and his wife Kelly have founded the Trouba Creative Expressions Arts Program, offering art services to those with epilepsy and seizures. This runs in part with the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York, where Trouba has created his viral artwork through covering himself in hockey gear and paint and body-checking canvas’.
Trouba has raised over $160,000 through his efforts, making a lasting impact on his community and around the hockey world. He is also a finalist for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, 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.”
Trouba is the first Rangers player to win the Mark Messier Leadership Award, which was established in 2007. Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the award last season. Past winners include Chris Chelios (2007), Jarome Iginla (2009), Sidney Crosby (2010) and Jonathan Toews (2015).
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