Andrew Ference receives NHL's King Clancy Trophy

Andrew Ference is an active volunteer in his native Edmonton. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference is this year's recipient

Andrew Ference is an active volunteer in his native Edmonton. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference is this year's recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, presented annually by the NHL to a player best displaying leadership qualities and making humanitarian contributions.

Ference will be among the honorees at the 2014 NHL Awards Gala on June 24 in Las Vegas.

The Oilers' captain and Edmonton native was cited for his volunteer work with community, children's and shelter charities, promoting physical fitness and environmental programs.

MUIR: NHL's top buyout candidates

From the Oilers' website:

Ference's work in the community encompassed a variety of community initiatives, including several projects on behalf of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF). In addition to these endeavours, Ference was involved in many of his own charity initiatives, most notably the November Project, the Hope Mission Shelter and leading the way on a Christmas toy delivery to the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Soon after assuming a leadership role with the Oilers, Ference brought forth another issue close to his heart, preserving the environment for future generations as a proud supporter if the green movement. Through the EOCF, the Oilers captain reached out to the Edmonton Waste Management Centre and invited grade 3 and 4 students from a local school to join him on a tour of the facility and engaged with the students on being environmentally conscious, as well as educating on how things like recycling can create a positive impact on the environment.

Upon his arrival in Edmonton, Ference wasted no time making his mark on the community, bringing the November Project to Oil Country, a community fitness project that was originally started by two of his friends in Boston. The free program encourages people of all ages and abilities gather in a group once a week to partake in various forms of physical activity at public locations throughout the city . . .