Derek Whitmore Named Portland's 2009-10 American Specialty/AHL Man Of The Year

March 25, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, Maine - The Portland Pirates are proud to announce that Derek Whitmore has been named the team's winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Portland community during the 2009-10 season. Whitmore was also the Pirates nominee for the award in 2008-09 and, for the second straight season, had a positive impact on the community through his participation in numerous charitable endeavors throughout the community.

The 25 year-old from Rochester, New York took a lead role in the Pirates Goals for Success Program and visited a number of schools during the 2009-10 season. The Goals for Success Program, presented by Aquafina and Healthy Maine Partnerships, is a 45-minute presentation created to encourage students to set goals, eat and live healthy and to avoid the negative influences that they might encounter as they grow up.

In addition to his role in Goals for Success, Whitmore also had an impact in a number of community activities during the course of the season including participating WJBQ's Cans for a Cure, appearing at Gary Pike Day (annual Gary's House fund raiser in Wells), assisting in organizing the Pirates for the 5th Annual Dine Around the World Food & Wine Tasting Extravaganza, attending the Junior League of Portland's Freeze Out Hunger Dinner as well as visiting the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital.

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

Whitmore is now one of 29 finalists for the AHL's 2009-10 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 Pirates return to action Friday night when they travel to Providence to meet the Bruins in a 7:05 p.m. start. The game can be heard live on News Talk WLOB 95.5 FM and on line at www.portlandpirates.com beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

The Pirates return home for games Saturday and Sunday at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Saturday when the Pirates face at the Springfield Falcons at 7 p.m. Chris Jensen will be inducted as the 13th member of the Pirates Hall of Fame, presented by Unum. The Hall of Fame was created to honor those individuals who have played a significant role in Pirates history.

Sunday the Pirates, the CCCC and their partners including NAPA Auto Parts, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Maine Indoor Karting, Northeast Mini Stock Tour, and NASCAR DAY 2010 present a Salute to Motorsports when the Hartford Wolf Pack visit for a 4 p.m. contest at the CCCC. You can win tickets to a NASCAR event in Loudon! Pirates will also honor High School State Champions from all sports. Brown Fox Printing presents a team photo giveaway and you can stick around after the game to get your photo signed by the players during a post game skate presented by Mercy Hospital and Weight Watchers.

Tickets for both games are available by calling (207) 775-3458, visiting the Cumberland County Civic Center Box Office or going on-line at portlandpirates.com.



American Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2010


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.

OurSports Central