The Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award has been awarded since 2006-07 and is given "to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season." The selection of the three finalists and the ultimate winner is made by Mark Messier, a six-time Stanley Cup champion and one of three players to have captained three NHL teams (Edmonton, New York Rangers, Vancouver). The winner will be announced Tuesday, June 20 during the 2017 NHL Humanitarian Awards, a special event at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas that will honor the League's leaders both on and off the ice. The winners of the 2017 NHL Humanitarian Awards also will be recognized the following day at the 2017 NHL Awards at T-Mobile Arena.

A two-time finalist for the Mark Messier Leadership Award, Getzlaf led Anaheim to a fifth straight Pacific Division title while also being active in the Orange County community in 2016-17. Getzlaf and Corey Perry continued their roles with the Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play program, which was launched in 2013 as the two continue to help supply hockey equipment and classes for those new to the game, ages 4-12. In addition to Learn to Play, Getzlaf hosted his seventh annual golf tournament, benefiting CureDuchenne, a nonprofit based in Newport Beach which raises awareness and funds for the progressive muscle-wasting disease. Along with his wife, Paige, Getzlaf has raised more than $1.675 million through the event.

Getzlaf, 31 (5/10/85), became the first player in franchise history to lead the team in scoring for five consecutive seasons (2013-17). He reached the 50-assist mark for a franchise-best seventh time and was one of three NHL players (Backstrom and Karlsson) and the only Western Conference player to record 50 assists in each of the last two seasons. He also became the second player in franchise history to record 800 points in an Anaheim uniform on Mar. 18 at San Jose and surpassed Teemu Selanne (531) for the franchise lead in assists on Nov. 10 at Carolina.