OHL Kitchener Rangers

Fanelli Named CHL Humanitarian of the Year

Published on May 25, 2013 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


The Canadian Hockey League today announced that defenceman Ben Fanelli of the Kitchener Rangers is the 2012-13 CHL Home Hardware Humanitarian of the Year. The ten national award winners for the 2012-13 season were presented as part of 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup festivities at the Remai Arts Centre in Saskatoon,

"¨"¨Fanelli, a 20-year-old from Oakville, ON, was recognized by the CHL for his tireless efforts in raising funds and awareness for head injuries through the initiative he created in March 2011 called Head Strong: Fanelli 4 Brain Injury Awareness, which has contributed over $18,000 to the Brain Injury Association of Canada and other beneficiaries."¨"¨

A three-time nominee for this award, Fanelli suffered a serious head injury in his rookie season that nearly ended his career. During his recovery he remained an active member of the Rangers organization and community initiatives despite missing the majority of 2009-10 and the entire 2010-11 season. His own recovery complete, Fanelli remains dedicated to Head Strong and sharing his personal experiences through the launch of an online blog this season called 'Keeping Head Strong'.

"¨"¨"Ben has long been a strong ambassador of our hockey club and its values, and we are proud to see him recognized for his contributions not only on the ice but also in our community and beyond," said Rangers Head Coach and General Manager Steve Spott. "¨"¨

On the ice, the Rangers' alternate captain collected three goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 64 games played. He received three team awards at the Rangers' year-end banquet including Most Valuable Player (shared with Matt Puempel), Most Popular Player, and was recognized by his peers with the Jim McGeachie Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Team Effort. Off the ice, Fanelli, the Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for February, is pursuing a degree in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University."¨

In April 2013, Fanelli was awarded the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as the OHL Humanitarian of the Year for 2012-13. He will be formally presented with the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony, which takes place June 4 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

2012-13 CHL Award Winners:

Jack Link's Top Prospect of the Year: Seth Jones (Portland Winterhawks)

FRAM Sportsman of the Year: Tyler Graovac (Belleville Bulls)

Chrysler Dodge Top Scorer of the Year: Brendan Leipsic and Nicolas Petan (Portland Winterhawks)

Home Hardware Humanitarian of the Year: Ben Fanelli (Kitchener Rangers)

Subway Scholastic Player of the Year: Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert Raiders)

Old Dutch Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year: Dominique Ducharme (Halifax Mooseheads)

BMO Rookie of the Year: Valentin Zykov (Baie-Comeau Drakkar)

Vaughn Goaltender of the Year: Patrik Bartosak (Red Deer Rebels)

Post Defenceman of the Year: Ryan Sproul (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

CCM Player of the Year: Jonathan Drouin (Halifax Mooseheads)

The 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup is proudly supported by MasterCard, title sponsor of this event for 15 straight years. Associate sponsors include Bank of Montreal, Subway, Old Dutch, Post, and broadcast partners Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 25, 2013


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