Brandon Defazio Named Bridgeport Sound Tigers' 2012-13 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year
April 11, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Bridgeport Islanders News Release
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (April 11, 2013) - The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are proud to announce that forward Brandon DeFazio has been named the team's winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Bridgeport community during the 2012-13 season.
Playing in just his first season with the Sound Tigers organization, DeFazio showed his commitment to the Bridgeport community early in the season. The Sound Tigers reached out to the community in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and hosted two games free to the free of charge to the public. DeFazio and other members of the team traveled throughout the area to distribute tickets to fans, and personally met with them to thank them, show support and the team's appreciation following both games. DeFazio also distributed food donated by fans to local pantries and churches following Hurricane Sandy.
The Oakville, ON native was an active leader in the locker room regarding the Sound Tigers involvement in the You Can Play Project, and participated with fans in the pre-game panel discussion with YCP founder Patrick Burke at You Can Play Night, the first of its kind in the AHL.
DeFazio has also has built a relationship with St. Vincent's Special Needs Services in the team's second season working with the organization, and has spent time skating with special needs children on the Webster Bank Arena ice following Sound Tigers practices.
DeFazio is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL's 2012-13 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year. The league award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be announced by the American Hockey League on Apr. 18.
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