Deschenes named Phantoms' 2003-04 AHL Man of the Year

Published on March 30, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, March 30, 2004) - The Philadelphia Phantoms are proud to announce that rookie left wing Nick Deschenes has been named the winner of the team's American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the community and charitable organizations during the 2003-04 season.

Deschenes filled the season with a variety of school visits and community work. And when not making official Phantoms appearances, he approached Philadelphia Regional High School on his own about volunteering at their after-school program for troubled teens. Deschenes wound up assisting a social studies class at the school twice a week for two hours a day.

The highlights of Deschenes' Phantoms work included visits to Haviland Avenue Elementary School in Audubon, N.J. and Whitman Elementary School in Turnersville, N.J., where he read to the students and patiently spent time answering all their questions. He also visited the Mulberry Child Care & Preschool in King of Prussia, Pa. on Nov. 20, reading to an older classroom of children and stopping by each other room to play and mingle with the kids.

In addition, Deschenes conducted a two-hour Phantoms Player Clinic by himself on Jan. 14 for members of the Delco Phantoms mites team at Ice Works rink in Aston, Pa.; participated in the Y100 Camp Out For Hunger food drive on Dec. 2; and attended the Police Athletic League's Make a Celebrity PAL fund-raiser on Nov. 5. He also joined teammates in visiting The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on Nov. 18 and attending the Kids Club Bowling Party on Dec. 7.

"This is something I always wanted to do, but didn't have the time for during college," said Deschenes, who starred at Yale University from 1999-2003. "It's important to give back to the community and I had a great time doing it."

In recognition of his efforts, Deschenes will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to the Phantoms' last regular-season home game on Sunday, April 4.

Deschenes 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.

The Phantoms are back in action this Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Norfolk Admirals at the Wachovia Spectrum. Philadelphia also entertains Hershey on Friday and plays at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday before Sunday's home finale.

Tickets to all Phantoms regular-season home games are $19, $18 and $14 for adults, and $8 for all children 14 and under, and are available now at the Wachovia Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations throughout the Delaware Valley. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (215) 336-2000, (856) 338-9000 or (302) 984-2000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Contact the Phantoms office at 215-465-4522 or log on to www.phantomshockey.com for information on group discounts, birthday packages and the Family Four Pack.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2004


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