Lecavalier, Linden share NHL Foundation Award

May 23, 2008 - 1:02 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The generosity of Vincent Lecavalier and Trevor Linden has not gone unnoticed.

Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Linden of the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday were named co-winners of the NHL Foundation Player Award, which is given in recognition of commitment and service to charities in the community.

As a result, $25,000 will be presented by the NHL Foundation to both the Vinny Lecavalier Foundation and Canuck Place Children's Hospice on behalf of the duo.

"We are honored to award both Vinny and Trevor," said Bernadette Mansur, the executive director of the NHL Foundation. "Their dedication to helping others is a great example of the commitment all our NHL players have in giving to their communities."

Last October, Lecavalier gave a $3 million commitment to help build The Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. The center, which is slated to open in 2009, will be one of the largest of its kind in the state.

"Even at a young age, my parents, Yvon and Christiane, always stressed to me the importance of helping others," Lecavalier said. "Through the lessons they taught me, I had the opportunity to learn so much about the important things in life, such as being a giving person.

"Since the day I became a member of the Tampa Bay community 10 years ago, I knew I wanted to find an important project to focus my energies on. ... I am honored to share this recognition with Trevor and I'm humbled by the opportunity I have to help make a difference for those in need."

Linden has been involved with numerous charities during his time in Vancouver, including the Canadian Cancer Society, the British Columbia Special Olympics and the B.C. Children's Hospital.

"I am honored to receive this award and share it with Vincent, knowing that two charities will benefit from this National Hockey League initiative," Linden said. "My profession has offered me the privilege and opportunity to give back to children, particularly those with cancer and life-limiting illnesses. My parents, Lane and Edna, instilled in my brothers and I the desire to help those around in need, and I am grateful for that gift.

"The little things that we worry about in life seem very inconsequential when you know there are children struggling to live. I would like to thank the children of B.C. and feel very blessed to be recognized for assisting them in the obstacles they face."

Lecavalier and Linden are the 10th recipients of the NHL Foundation Player Award. Others who have won the honor include Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche, Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla and Olaf Kolzig of the Washington Capitals.