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Rinne was one of three finalists alongside the
New Jersey Devils' P.K. Subban and the San Jose Sharks' Kurtis
Gabriel.
Rebecca King, the Predators' vice president of community
relations, said in a statement that "everything Pekka does comes
from the heart. Bringing joy to others is what he is perhaps
most passionate about. He is the most humble and kind-hearted
person you will ever meet, and his connection with everyone he
comes across is so incredibly genuine."
Rinne, who has spent his entire 15-year NHL career with the
Predators, has done the bulk of his community work through the
365 Pediatric Cancer Fund, which he and former teammate Shea
Weber founded. The NHL donated $25,000 to the 365 Fund in
connection with Rinne receiving the King Clancy award.
Weber, a 16-year NHL veteran, played his first 11 seasons in
Nashville before being traded to Montreal in June 2016, and he
has played for the Canadiens since.
"After spending 15 years with the same organization and in the
same city, and with the opportunities I've had through local
charities in my community, this is very special to me," Rinne
said, adding his thanks to Weber and his congratulations to
Subban and Gabriel. The other two nominees have had donations of
$5,000 made in their names.
"This award means a lot to me and my family, and it's a huge
honor," said Rinne, a first-time finalist for the award.
Rinne, who won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender
for the 2017-18 season, has a 369 wins and 60 shutouts in 683
games, each the most in Nashville history, since the Predators
made him the 258th player taken overall (eighth round) in the
2004 NHL Draft.
--Field Level Media
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