SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A leader on and off the ice, former Irish forward and current captain of the New York Islanders, Anders Lee was recognized with the King Clancy Memorial Trophy Wednesday evening for his leadership on the ice and philanthropic mindset off the ice. The award is presented annually “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community”.
A longtime role model in his community, back in 2017 Lee first developed a friendship with a local teenager who was battling cancer, Fenov Pierre-Louis. The teen’s courage and positivity motivated Lee who chose to honor his legacy upon his passing by continuing the fight to end cancer.
It was Pierre-Louis who first introduced Lee to Jam Kancer in the Kan, a foundation in which to raise funds for those affected by cancer. Lee has now hosted four Kancer Jam events and most recently raised more than $155,000 for cancer patients during the September 2023 event. His commitment and influence has led numerous other NHL players to host similar events.
In addition to his annual Kancer Jam fundraiser, Lee also established a scholarship in his friend’s name. Started in 2018, the Fenov Scholars college scholarship has been awarded to 24 individuals.
While on the ice, Lee often invites families impacted by cancer to attend home games, providing them with tickets to the event, gifts and meet and greets following the game. His generosity stretches far beyond the confines of UBS Arena where the Islanders play. He regularly checks in with those he has hosted for games and maintains personal connections with the families.
The Irish now boast two alumni to have earned the distinguished honor as Dave Poulin was recognized in 1993 making Notre Dame the only university with multiple King Clancy Memorial Trophy winners.