Tom Wilson officially named NHL award finalist and fans are NOT happy about it

Don’t look now but the NHL’s most hated man is up for an award. The NHL officially unveiled the 31 nominees for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy earlier today and it included Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson.

Here's the full list of nominees:

The King Clancy Memorial Trophy is awarded 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. Now, to be perfectly honest I have no clue about Wilson’s humanitarian efforts… he could very well be the most philanthropic player in the NHL. But… leadership qualities on and off the ice? Tom Wilson? Like… the goon from the Caps?

Indeed. Since his historic 20 games suspension in the preseason, Wilson has flipped the switch and is seemingly a new player. Like it or not, Tom Wilson is no longer just a thug. The 25 year old had a career season despite playing only 63 games (his suspension was reduced to 14 games on appeal), putting up 22 goals and 40 points. Ask any Capitals fan and they’ll tell you that together both Alex Ovechkin and Wilson are the heartbeat of this team.

Again, like it or not, Wilson deserves this nomination. Still, that hasn’t stopped fans from piling on all over social media. Posts on Twitter and Facebook abut the news are rife with insults and even threats. Safe to say that this is NOT a popular decision outside of Washington, D.C.