Cullen is Aeros 2003-04 American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year
Published on March 30, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
Houston, TX â The Houston Aeros are proud to announce that Mark Cullen has been named the team's winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Houston community and charitable organizations during the 2003-04 season.
Cullen has not only made a successful return to the ice following a malignant melanoma diagnosis last September, he's going out of his way to tell his story. Cullen has partnered with Memorial Hermann Healthcare System to serve as the spokesperson for their Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign. Cullen is making numerous media appearances and also signing autographs at a Memorial Hermann booth after Friday's game. Cullen is also raising money for Sunshine Kids, a charity which aids children with cancer and their families. An anonymous donor, inspired by Cullen's story, started giving $100 per Cullen goal and $50 per assist in early March. Through 12 games, Cullen has posted two goals and 11 assists for $750. The drive will continue into the post-season.
Cullen also missed two months of the season with a badly separated shoulder, after breaking an ankle in last season's Western Conference Finals. The Moorhead, Minn., native suffered a broken neck while at Colorado College. Cullen has attended "Chilly's Puck Pals" parties this season and was the only Aero to attend all three major hospital visits in 2003-04. He also helped distribute items from the Houston Aeros Toy Drive, initiated by friends and teammates Jason Beckett and Jeff Hoggan, to the Second Mile Mission Center.
In recognition of his efforts, Cullen will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming home game.
Cullen is now one of 28 finalists for the 2003-04 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year. The league award, named after the former Hershey Bears forward who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia, will be presented during the Calder Cup 2004 Final.
American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2004
- Toby Petersen named Penguins' American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Ducks rally to defeat Rampage - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Kelly Named St. John's Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Toronto Marlies
- Phantoms Flier - Adirondack Phantoms
- Hymovitz Named Finalist for American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Binghamton Senators
- Zinger Named Pirates 2003-2004 American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Portland Pirates
- Parma Native Joins Syracuse, Will Play In Cleveland On Sunday - Cleveland Barons
- Belak Named Sound Tigers Man Of The Year - Bridgeport Islanders
- Stirling Recalled, Macri Released - Bridgeport Islanders
- Thrashers Send Santala, Heins to Chicago - Chicago Wolves
- Duncan Milroy named Hamilton's American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Casey Hankinson named American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Kings Assign Barney And Gleason To Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Muir Named Manchester's American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Manchester Monarchs
- Olson named Rampage's American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - San Antonio Rampage
- IceCats Announce 2003-04 Man of the Year - Worcester IceCats
- Paul Traynor Named Syracuse's 2003-04 American Specialty/AHL Man of The Year - Syracuse Crunch
- Raymond Giroux named River Rats' American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Albany River Rats
- Obsut Finallist for AHL Man of the Year - Manitoba Moose
- McCarthy named Falcons' 2003-04 American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Springfield Falcons
- Clark named Hershey's American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Hershey Bears
- Pirates Help Make-A-Wish Celebrate Milestone - Portland Pirates
- American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year winners announced - AHL
- P-Bruins begin stretch of four games in five nights - Providence Bruins
- Gernander named Wolf Pack's American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Connecticut Whale
- Richards named Griffins' American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Shawn Thornton named dmirals' American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Norfolk Admirals
- Barons Can Clinch Playoffs On Wednesday - Cleveland Barons
- Carkner Wins American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year Award - Cleveland Barons
- Mike Gellard named P-Bruins American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Providence Bruins
- Cullen is Aeros 2003-04 American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year - Houston Aeros
- Skalde Named Grizzlies 2003/04 American Specialty/AHL Man ofthe Year - Utah Grizzlies
- Deschenes named Phantoms' 2003-04 AHL Man of the Year - Adirondack Phantoms
- Columbus Reassigns Pandolfo and Fritsche - Syracuse Crunch
- St. John's Maple Leafs Fight Cancer Weekend - Toronto Marlies
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Preview - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Four games could determine Griffins' fate - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Crunch Playoff Tickets on Sale Thursday, April 8 - Syracuse Crunch
- Brett Draney Sent to Idaho for Conditioning - Utah Grizzlies
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
