Gorillas' Sutter wins CHL Man of the Year Award
March 18, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release
Amarillo, TX 3/18/09 - The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Austin Sutter of the Amarillo Gorillas has been named the 2008-09 Central Hockey League Man of the Year. The award is selected by the CHL front office based on nominations and supporting materials from member clubs.
The CHL Man of the Year award is 'presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community'. Sutter is the first Gorillas player ever to be bestowed with the honor, and the first player from an Amarillo franchise to win the award since Brad Haelzle of the Rattlers in 1999-00.
"Austin has been a big part of the Amarillo hockey community ever since joining the team in 2006-07," said Randy Sanders, Gorillas Owner. "He has introduced many children to hockey for the first time, hosts clinics, and has fueled excitement for the sport around the Texas Panhandle. Austin is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand, and leads by example with his work in the community."
In his third pro season, Sutter leads the Gorillas community initiative in the Amarillo Independent School District by spending time with the students and teaching the importance of practice, teamwork and reading. He has also worked closely with the Amarillo Hockey Association Inc. (AHAI) since he arrived in Amarillo attending board meetings and lending input to the day-to-day hockey operations of the organization. The Red Deer, Alberta native volunteers as a coach for a 17 and under inline hockey team and teaches numerous hockey camps throughout the off-season for kids ranging in age from 4-18 years old.
During the summer of 2008, Sutter organized a Shoe Hockey Camp for children (ages 4-10) attending Day Care Centers throughout the city of Amarillo teaching them valuable tools of being a team player and sportsmanship for not just sports but everyday life. In his four-week camp, Sutter worked with 780 children instantly becoming their hero and the player they want to see at the Amarillo Civic Center when the Gorillas play a home game.
"Austin is one of the community's favorite pro hockey players and a hero to the children," said Eddie Francis of the Amarillo Hockey Association Inc. "He has had a great impact on the AHAI and the Amarillo community."
On the ice, Sutter has played in close to 200 CHL games and last season scored 65 points (24-41=65) in 64 games.
"Austin is a great asset to the team on the ice and the community off the ice," said Robert Simmons, Gorillas General Manager. "He has been involved with many of the Amarillo Gorillas off-ice programs this season, and is always the first to volunteer for any community function."
Sutter and the Gorillas (17-41-3) will host the New Mexico Scorpions in their next game on Thursday, March 19. Tickets are available for the game by calling (806) 242-PUCK (7825).
The AMARILLO GORILLAS are celebrating their seventh season in "The Jungle" by offering special ticket prices to groups and parties! Call the Gorillas ticketing office at (806) 242-PUCK (7825) for more information, or drop by the Gorillas' new office at 901 S. Buchanan in downtown Amarillo.
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