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 Peoria Rivermen

Eric Neilson Named Peoria Rivermen Man of the Year

March 26, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


PEORIA, Ill. (March 26, 2009) - The Peoria Rivermen are proud to announce that right wing Eric Neilson has been named the team's winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Peoria community during the 2008-09 season.

In his first full season with the Rivermen, Neilson immediately immersed himself in the Peoria community by volunteering for numerous events at local schools, hospitals and organizations. He served as a waiter to benefit the Children's Hospital of Illinois, offered to have his hair dyed pink for the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation and rang bells for the Salvation Army. He has read stories to school children and signed autographs at local businesses. He has even impressed preschoolers by leading a game of "Simon Says" or sitting in on a game of "Duck, Duck, Goose."

As an enforcer on the ice, Neilson quickly became a fan-favorite and meeting him off the ice only reinforces his popularity. His friendliness towards fans and outgoing personality make him the perfect ambassador for the Rivermen. He is the first one to volunteer for an event and is always willing to fill in at the last minute in a pinch. He even doubles as a co-host on the team's radio post-game show.

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

Neilson 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.


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