Brett Sterling Named Chicago Wolves 2012-13 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man
April 11, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
The Chicago Wolves are proud to announce that BRETT STERLING has been named the team's winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Chicago community during the 2012-13 season.
STERLING, who ranks second on the Wolves all-time goals list with 166 goals in just 296 games, has made just as much of an impact away from the rink. Always among the first on the team to volunteer for community appearances and fan-oriented events, the 28-year-old Los Angeles native took the proactive approach this season and created the "Team Up With 29" program.
Working with a different charity each month, STERLING volunteered to donate $29 for each point he scored this season while encouraging Wolves fans via the team's web site to join him as his teammates. Fans set their own donation level for each point and, even though Sterling missed 23 consecutive games at midseason due to an injury that also kept him out of his fourth AHL All-Star Game, "Team Up With 29" has raised more than $4,000 for local charities to date.
"Brett's just a tremendous individual," said Courtney Mahoney, the Wolves senior vice president of operations. "When he came back to the Wolves this season, one of our first conversations was about what more he could do for the community. Creating this "Team Up for 29" program was something he had in his head. I think it embodies what kind of guy he is. It's him donating his own money and getting fans involved because they wanted to support such an energetic player and personality."
STERLING also makes regular visits to Children's Memorial Hospital to play bingo with the patients. He helps to host the games and hand out prizes to winners. He's also a magnetic presence at the team's public events.
Sterling served as one of the mustache-growing leaders for the team's Movember movement --- when the Wolves raised money for prostate cancer and testicular cancer initiatives --- and proved popular at the team's "Get Fed By The Wolves" and "Wine Tasting" fundraisers that have helped raise more than $4 million for Chicago Wolves Charities since the franchise began in 1994.
"The biggest thing my parents instilled in me is treating others the way you want to be treated, and that's how I live my life," Sterling said. "Live to be a good person, especially to those around you and the ones you love most."
STERLING is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL's 2012-13 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, which honors 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 Thursday, April 18.
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