The NHL Foundation presents $25,000 to the winner’s chosen charitable organization. Giordano has selected the Calgary Flames Foundation, which will lend its support to the Calgary School Board and the Team Giordano initiative.

Giordano’s leadership and dedication on the ice only are paralleled by his various initiatives away from the rink. For the past two seasons, Giordano and his wife have partnered with the Calgary Board of Education to create a unique community program called Team Giordano – which provides resources to four low-income Calgary schools. Funding from Team Giordano supports the purchase of computers, journals and other school supplies as well as floor hockey equipment. Students in the program are encouraged to achieve their goals using the “5 G’s” Giordano believes are the keys to success. Since its inception, Team Giordano has donated $200,000 to its four schools, impacting the lives of 1,400 students.

NHL Clubs submitted nominations for the NHL Foundation Player Award and the finalists were selected by a judging panel. Other finalists for this year’s honor were Matt Martin of the New York Islanders andP.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens.

Year Winner Team
2016 Mark Giordano Calgary
2015 Brent Burns San Jose
2014 Patrice Bergeron Boston
2013 Henrik Zetterberg Detroit
2012 Mike Fisher Nashville
2011 Dustin Brown Los Angeles
2010 Ryan Miller Buffalo
2009 Rick Nash Columbus
2008 Vincent Lecavalier Tampa Bay
Trevor Linden Vancouver
2007 Joe Sakic Colorado
2006 Marty Turco Dallas
2004 Jarome Iginla Calgary
2003 Darren McCarty Detroit
2002 Ron Francis Carolina
2001 Olaf Kolzig Washington
2000 Adam Graves NY Rangers
1999 Rob Ray Buffalo
1998 Kelly Chase St. Louis