Evan Rankin Named Rochester Americans 2012-13 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year
April 11, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release
(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans are proud to announce that forward Evan Rankin has been named the team's winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Rochester community during the 2012-13 season.
Rankin was among the Amerks' most active players in the community this season, volunteering his time after practice, at night and on off days to spend time with kids and help make a difference. Whether he was skating with a hockey team made up of players with developmental disabilities or reading to children at local libraries, Rankin left a positive impression on everyone he came across.
The Amerks Power Play Reading Program, now in its eighth season, sees players visit libraries throughout Monroe Country to read a book to children and talk about the importance of education and the game of hockey. Rankin participated in three library visits this season while also visiting elementary schools to read to classrooms while he was out of action due to injury in early March.
Rankin also helped coordinate a visit along with several teammates to the Golisano Children's Hospital, where Rankin and the players answered phones during a live Radiothon to benefit the Golisano Children's Hospital on Valentine's Day.
Another cause that became important to Evan this season was the Rochester Special Hockey team, also known as the Ice Cats. The Ice Cats are an ice hockey team made up of more than 40 players with developmental disabilities, and Evan was happy to spend time with them this season, whether as a coach on the bench or skating with the team at a practice. His enthusiasm was shared by the players, who always looked forward to Evan's visits.
Rankin is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL's 2012-13 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall IOA/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 on Apr. 18.
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