Francis Wathier Named Iowa Stars' 2007-08 American Specialty/AHL Man Of The Year

Published on March 27, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release


The Iowa Stars are proud to announce that center Francis Wathier has been named the team's winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Des Moines community during the 2007-08 season.

Francis is always a willing participant in Iowa Stars community events. Even while rehabbing an injury for much of the season, Francis was present at every hospital visit as well as several library and school appearances. Francis took time out before a game in November to read to kids on the concourse as they came in to help promote a book drive for Blank Children's Hospital. He participated in the Prairie Meadows sponsored Poker Tournament with season ticket holders, and while he did not make it to the final table, he graciously gave up his jersey to the Stars fan that defeated him. Francis also volunteered his time to give the Boys and Girls Club of Des Moines a tour of the Stars locker room.

Outside of Iowa Stars events this season, Francis and his wife Isabel made a commitment to the Des Moines community in many other ways. They purchased a home in West Des Moines and will remain in the community for most of the summer while Francis hosts conditioning and dry land camps through June and July. Francis has become involved with the Des Moines Youth Hockey Association as well, attending several games for various teams this season. In their spare time Francis and Isabel also enjoy visiting a local retirement center on the East side to play Wii Nintendo with the elderly.

The couple found a way to give back during the Christmas season when they served in a soup kitchen at the YMCA, and rather than purchasing gifts for each other during the holidays the couple purchased several gift cards to a large department store chain and placed the cards on various windshields in the parking lot. Many people will agree that doing something kind for a person and not receiving, or expecting, a thank you, recognition, or acknowledgment for that act is one of the hardest things to do and perhaps, is altruism at its finest.

In recognition of his efforts, Wathier will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to the Stars home game on April 8th.

Wathier is now one of 29 finalists for the AHL's 2007-08 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 AHL in the coming weeks.

STARS INFO: Happy Hour - Join Iowa Stars fans in the Principal River's Edge Restaurant from 5:30 to 6:30 before every weekday home game.

Join "the voice of the Stars" Jim Erickson along with Stars players, coaches and staff at Scooter and Babs Sports Bar and Grille, 918 E Euclid Ave, in Des Moines on Mondays from 7 to 8pm. Stop by to listen to the show while you enjoy some great food and drink. When you are at Scooter and Babs for the show, be sure to register for the chance to sit in the reserved front row and have dinner with the player guests. If you can't make it to Scooter and Babs listen on 1350 AM KRNT and at www.1350krnt.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2008


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