In a season defined by adversity and a grueling injury list, the Florida Panthers have officially named veteran center Sam Bennett as their nominee for the 2025-26 King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The announcement comes at a poignant moment for the franchise, as the team continues to navigate a campaign without their captain and last year’s award winner, Aleksander Barkov.
Stepping Into the Void
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is one of the NHL’s most prestigious off-ice honors, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice while making a significant humanitarian contribution to their community. For the Panthers, the selection of Bennett was a natural fit following the devastating loss of Barkov, who was sidelined during training camp with a season-ending ACL and MCL injury.
With the captain watching from the sidelines, Bennett has transitioned from a reliable top-six forward to the undisputed heartbeat of the roster. Tasked with filling the massive void in the center of the ice, the 29-year-old has produced the best statistical season of his career. Despite a roster decimated by various ailments, Bennett currently leads the Panthers with 32 assists and sits second on the team with 58 points—trailing only Sam Reinhart’s 61. His ability to maintain elite production while playing a heavy, physical game has kept the “Cats” competitive through their most difficult stretches.
Compassion Beyond the Crease
While his on-ice resurgence has been vital, it is Bennett’s work within the South Florida community that truly defines his candidacy. Bennett has become a champion for animal welfare through his dedicated campaign, **”Benny’s Buddies.”** Partnering with the Broward County Humane Society, Bennett has turned his scoring prowess into a lifeline for shelter animals.
Through the initiative, Bennett personally covers the adoption fees for specific “Buddies” at the shelter, removing financial barriers for families looking to provide a forever home to pets in need. The program gained massive traction following the Panthers’ recent success, with teammates and fans alike rallying behind the cause. Bennett has even been known to bring his signature grit to the campaign, often joking that every “backdoor tap-in” from a teammate is really just another pet getting adopted.
A Deserving Candidate
Retaining the King Clancy is no small feat—only Henrik Sedin has ever won the award twice—and the competition this year remains fierce with nominees like Nick Suzuki and Alex Ovechkin. However, Sam Bennett’s transformation into a primary leader and his tangible impact on Broward County’s animal population make him an exceptionally deserving finalist.
Whether or not he takes home the hardware at the NHL Awards, Bennett has already won the respect of the Florida faithful. In a year where the Panthers needed someone to lead by example, “Benny” answered the call, proving that true leadership is as much about what you do for your community as it is about what you do on the power play.