Wayne Simmonds Named Finalist for Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award

12-20-2017_FlyersvsRedWings_2nd_credKateFrese-17

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The NHL is revealing finalists for league awards on a daily basis until the end of April. The Flyers already have on finalist, with Sean Couturier being up for the Selke Trophy.

On Tuesday, another Flyers forward was named a finalist for an award. Wayne Simmonds is one of three finalists for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.

The award is presented to the "player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey."

Simmonds is joined by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland and Winnipeg Jets forward Blake Wheeler as finalists.

The three finalists, and ultimately the winner, are selected by Messier himself from a list of candidates submitted by all 31 teams.

Simmonds scored 24 goals and had 46 points in 75 games in the 2017-18 season. Simmonds is highly regarded as one of the team's locker room leaders and a well-respected player. He also plays a big role in the community, hosting military members in a suite at every home game and serving on the board of directors for the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.

The Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award and the rest of the NHL Awards will be announced on June 20.

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