Johnny Meo Wins 2009 NAHL Community Service Award
April 16, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
FRISCO, TX (Thursday, April 16th, 2009) - The North American Hockey League has announced that Mahoning Valley Phantoms captain Johnny Meo has been named the recipient of this year's Community Service Award.
"It's a tremendous honor to receive the Community Service Award," says Meo, who holds the all-time games played record for the Phantoms with 196, "and I have to give thanks to Coaches Mainhardt, Carr and Russo, [Team President] Mr. [Bruce] Zoldan and the entire Phantoms organization. Our whole team takes community service very seriously and it means quite a bit to be recognized by the league for our efforts."
In his third year with the Phantoms, Meo, from Vernon Hills, Ill., has been actively involved in a number of community service initiatives over the course of his junior career, including the Phantoms' "Hockey for Health" program and "Read with the Phantoms."
"Johnny works just as hard off the ice as he does on it," said Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt. "Anything we ever need a player to volunteer for, he's the first guy in line. He's done more work to be involved in the community than any other player in each of his three years here."
And instructor for "Little Phantoms Learn to Play Hockey," the 21-year-old has also participated in special needs on-ice groups, the United Way Day of Caring, Red Cross Disaster Relief, YMCA Run For the Cure, Rich Center for Autism and the Boy Scouts.
In addition, Meo has lent a helping hand with local events such as Boardman (Ohio) Oktoberfest, the Poland (Ohio) Rotary's Chili Open, Boardman's YMCA "Equalizer" Race and various Relay for Life events in the Mahoning Valley.
"It's definitely important for us to get out there because the Mahoning Valley has been so supportive of us, so we love to go out and make sure that we support everyone in the area just as much," said Meo, the Phantoms' third all-time leading scorer with 110 points.
Meo's recognition is the fifth postseason award the Phantoms have collected so far, in addition to Brandon Saad's Rookie of the Year honors, Saad being named to the All-Rookie Team and Saad and Cullen Lundholm being named to the All-North Division Team.
Saad is also a finalist for the USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year award.
The NAHL Academic Achievement Award, Coach of the Year, General Manager of the Year and Organization of the Year will be announced in the coming weeks.
The All-NAHL Team, Goaltender of the Year, Defenseman of the Year, Forward of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be announced at the Robertson Cup Championship banquet on Monday, April 27.
All Phantoms merchandise is on sale for 40% off at the Phantoms Team Shop at both the Chevrolet Centre and the Ice Zone while the Phantoms are in the playoffs. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2009
- Phantoms Open Division Finals with Commanding 4-1 Win - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Falls to Mahoning Valley, 4-1, in Game 1 - U.S. National Team
- Johnny Meo Wins 2009 NAHL Community Service Award - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
