This is the first time that Tierney has been nominated for the award.

The winner is chosen by select members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and the NHL Broadcasters' Association.

SAN JOSE - The San Jose Sharks ( @SanJoseSharks ) announced today that forward Chris Tierney ( @tierney71 ) has been nominated for the 2018 King Clancy Memorial Trophy . The award is given annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.

The 23-year-old Tierney is in his fourth NHL season. Tierney stepped up to take on the responsibilities of the Sharks ambassador for the Hockey is For Everyone (HIFE) campaign.

The HIFE campaign is conducted in partnership with the You Can Play Project - a nonprofit committed to supporting the LGBTQ community and fighting homophobia in sports. The campaign marks the first time the Players' Association, the NHL and its clubs have collaborated to encourage teamwork, inclusiveness and diversity in hockey at all levels daily for the entire month of February.

Tierney has lived his role every day of the year, not just during Hockey Is For Everyone month. He has participated in the Sharks Special Olympics Floor Hockey Game in November, playing a unified game with 60 special needs athletes, while their families cheered them on. In addition, he coached a Special Needs Hockey Practice in February and is a regular at annual hospital visits, including a Capes4Heroes trip in January. Some of the contributions include:

LGBTQ Youth Space (Caminar): As the Hockey Is For Everyone Night 50/50 beneficary for the past two seasons, Chris' visit has helped the Sharks Foundation donate over $15,000.

Served as a celebrity coach for the Special Hockey class at Solar4AmericaIce as part of Hockey Is For Everyone Month.

Participated in the Special Olympics Northern California Floor Hockey Program for the second annual floor hockey game.

2016-17 Goals For Kids: Helped raise $12,100 through individual goals scored. • 2017-18 Goals For Kids: Helped raise $17,000 through individual goals scored.

2016 Holiday Assist: Purchased $300 worth of gifts for adopted family.

2017 Holiday Assist: Purchased $400 worth of gifts for adopted family.

Capes4Heroes Hospital Visit: 20 patients visited, 35,000 views on Facebook 2017, 9,200 views 2016.

On the ice, Tierney's breakout year has come with career-highs in multiple categories. In 82 games, Tierney posted 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists), setting a career-high in goals (17), assists (23) points (40) and shots (118). Tierney was one of three Sharks players to play in all 82 games this season.

The native of Keswick, Ontario, Canada was selected by San Jose in the second round (55th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.