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Casey Borer Named Albany River Rats' 2008-09 American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year

March 26, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY - The Albany River Rats are proud to announce that defenseman Casey Borer has been named the team's winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Albany community during the 2008-09 season.

This year Borer has added to his reputation for taking an active role in the Capital District community through his continued commitment to local youth organizations. His most demanding community work this year occurred within the friendly confines of a hockey rink in Bethlehem, NY; ironically, the 23 year-old was anything but comfortable on this sheet of ice, where he made numerous trips to learn the game of sled hockey along-side a determined group of physically handicapped kids. While Bethlehem Eagles Sled-Hockey players counted on Borer for his friendship, leadership and support, the Jr. River Rats youth hockey team leaned on his skills as an up-right hockey pro at the practices that he ran throughout the season.

Borer was also active in the off-ice community in Albany. He visited local schools throughout the year and acted as the primary speaker for school-wide assemblies on general health. His presentations included lessons on healthy eating, exercise and working hard in school. Borer also partnered-up with several of his teammates for charitable events that included gift-giving events during the holidays and numerous player/fan fundraiser events for the Ronald McDonald house in Albany, NY.

During Borer's rookie year, 2007-08, he suffered a season-ending knee injury on March 28, 2007 causing him to miss Albany's final seven regular-season games and their entire 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs run. With hours of hard work and intense physical therapy, he rehabbed his knee and got himself back into shape in time for Carolina's training camp in September. Borer conducted a successful 2008-09 season, highlighted by a three-game stint with the Hurricanes in early December, his third NHL call up of his young career. However, his season was cut short for the second year in a row as Borer was among the most severely injured players involved in the River Rats team bus accident on February 19th. Borer suffered a broken vertebra in his neck, which abruptly halted his second pro season.

In recognition of his efforts, Borer will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming Albany home game.

Borer is now one of 29 finalists for the AHL's 2008-09 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall 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 in the coming weeks.

The River Rats return home to prepare for a two-game home stand, beginning on Friday, March 27th at 7:00 pm as they host the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Times Union Center.

River Rats flex ticket packages and individual game tickets are on sale now at the River Rats office and the Times Union Center Box Office. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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