Toews a finalist for NHL leadership honor

Ask any of his teammates what kind of leader Jonathan Toews is, and you'll get an answer very similar to the one Bryan Bickell provided after the Blackhawks series-clinching win in Game 6 against St. Louis.

“He leads by example on and off the ice,” Bickell said. “He's our captain for a reason.

“For him to be doing what he's doing right now, blocking shots, penalty killing ... it's awesome.”

Following recent announcements that Toews is a Selke Trophy finalist, now comes word that he's also a finalist for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, given annually to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season.

“It's always an honor to be recognized for these awards,” Toews said. “It's a great reflection of what your team and your teammates have helped you accomplish when you get that individual recognition.”

Toews was the runner-up for the award following the 2012-13 season.

Joining Toews as finalists are Dustin Brown of the L.A. Kings and Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks).

Toews, 26, ranked third on the Blackhawks with 68 points and ranked second with a plus-26 rating in 76 regular-season games.

Off the ice, Toews volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, including a special skating session with 4-year-old

Nicholas Skretkowski before the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Soldier Field. He also often hosted postgame meet-and-greets with young fans during the season.

Toews is also very active in the Chicago group Misericordia, which offers a community of care for people with mild to profound developmental disabilities.