AHL Chicago Wolves

Foster Named 2003-04 American Specialty/AHL "Man of the Year"

Published on June 3, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


Chicago Wolves defenseman Kurtis Foster has been named the 2004 American Hockey League "Man of the Year" for his outstanding community service this season.

This is the fourth time in the team's 10-year history that a Wolves player has received league-wide honors for community service. No other team in the National Hockey League, International Hockey League or AHL has been recognized for a player's community service as many times in the last 10 years. Foster joins former Wolves goaltender Wendell Young (2001); center Chris Marinucci (1999) and left wing Tim Breslin (1997) as the league's "Man of the Year" recipients.

"I won the award, but it's really for the whole organization because the Wolves really take pride in their community involvement," Foster said. "The staff finds ways to get us out into to the community, and we [the players] are fortunate enough to get to do the fun stuff. It's fitting, too, because we dedicated this season to [former Wolves center Dan] Snyder, and this is the best way to honor his memory."

Foster who will receive the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before Game 4 of the Calder Cup Finals on Sun., June 6 served as a player spokesman for the Wolves' most successful educational program, "Read to Succeed," sponsored by Fisher Nuts. The 22-year-old defenseman visited more than 40 Chicago-area libraries during the past two years to speak about the role that education plays in his life as a professional athlete and to encourage children to spend more time in libraries, reading recreationally.

Foster was the signature spokesman of the Wolves "Adopt-a-Dog" program, sponsored by PETsMART, which works in conjunction with the City of Chicago's Animal Care and Control Center to encourage fans to save a dog's life by adopting it during a Wolves game. With help from "Kurtis' Kanines," the Wolves have found homes for more than 250 dogs in the last three years.

The Carp, Ontario, native was an instrumental part of the Wolves, "Free Sacks with the Pack" program, sponsored by Unilever Bestfoods, in which fans had the opportunity to have a Wolves player deliver groceries to their home. Foster and the Wolves' mascot, Skates, brought food and goody bags to the winning family, and then spent time giving neighborhood kids tips on hockey.

Foster also participated in other charitable endeavors throughout the year, including the "Get Fed by the Wolves" event to raise money for Special Olympics; Gunzo's Urban Hockey Initiative to help bring hockey to inner-city children; the North School "Pen Pals" program to encourage elementary school children to improve their writing skills; the "Toys for Tots" drive to benefit underprivileged children;and several hospital visits.

This AHL award is named after the late Yanick Dupre, who passed away in August 1997 at the age of 24, following a 16-month battle with leukemia. Dupre played four seasons with the Hershey Bears (1992-1996), registering 169 points (70G, 99A) in 207 games. He also played in 35 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

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