Josiah Slavin

Sean Walker emerges as the unsung anchor on Carolina's defense this season, steadying a corps that's faced its share of turbulence. Those in the know appreciate how his quiet reliability lets stars like Slavin shine brighter up ice. As playoffs near, his presence becomes the backbone in a blue-line group built for deep runs.

The Slavin brothers, Josiah and Jaccob, finally share the ice on the same NHL roster after years of parallel paths through the minors and juniors. Fans in the locker room whisper about how their faith anchors them amid the grind of an 82-game schedule that tests every pro. This reunion adds a rare family dynamic to a team chasing playoff positioning, and everyone wonders how their bond influences the room's chemistry.

Jordan Harris earns a nod for the 2026 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, joining Slavin, Kerfoot, Oettinger, and Vlasic in a field of community warriors. These awards spotlight players who grind off-ice as hard as on it, from charity drives to locker-room leadership. Voters weigh intangibles that win Cups, making this ballot a window into the league's soul.