CHL Central Hockey League

Memphis' Don Parsons Named 2003-2004 CHL Man of the Year

Published on March 9, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release


Two-time reigning Central Hockey League regular season Most Valuable Player Don Parsons of the Memphis RiverKings today added another honor to his collection as he was named CHL Man of the Year for the 2003-2004 season. The award is "presented annually to the CHL player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community", and is selected by the CHL front office based on nominations from member teams.

While Parsons has been a key part of the RiverKings on the ice, captaining the club to back-to-back Ray Miron President's Cup championships the last two seasons, his off-ice contributions have been remarkable, spearheading two highly successful fundraising campaigns. Last year, the Boston native helped to raise $15,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, earning recent nomination in the Society's own "Man of the Year" race. Parsons will participate in additional fundraising in honor of four-year old leukemia patient Brooklyn Fielder. The RiverKings will be assisting Parsons in his efforts; selling special caps with the team logo, his jersey number 13, and his signature embroidered on one side, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society logo on the other.

Additionally, Parsons also established his own goals for charity program, "Parson's Pledge", benefiting local children's charities, including the Palmer Home for Children orphanage and the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf. Pledge amounts are generated for each goal Parsons scores. Faced with his own family's personal challenges, Parsons has become a true champion of charitable efforts. His father has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and his 19-month old daughter Maggy was born hearing impaired and participates in the Parent-Infant Training Program at the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf. "I've tried to put a lot of work in to help the community, because this community has been great to me and my family, and great to this organization," said Parsons. "I think the important thing is that players get involved in their communities, and try to give back in whatever way they can. I've tried to do that here."

"When considering several outstanding candidates to receive this year's honor, Don's significant and tangible contributions of time and effort to so many worthwhile causes made him a natural selection," said Central Hockey League President Brad Treliving. "We commend his substantial efforts on many levels to aid those less fortunate and congratulate him as an outstanding representative of our organization." Parsons will receive his award prior to the RiverKings home game against Indianapolis this Saturday, March 13th.

Others also receiving significant consideration for the 2003-2004 award were Lubbock left wing Paul Fioroni and New Mexico left wing Peter Ambroziak. Fioroni is actively involved in both the Cotton King's "Stick With Reading" program and with Hockey Ministries International, and combined with teammate Dave MacIntyre to form the "Mac-a-Roni" Fund to benefit Brett Wallrath's family, who was fatally injured by an impaired driver. Ambroziak, a member of the Scorpions for the past five seasons, is a regular contributor in the club's numerous community efforts, including literacy programs, youth hockey and the Scorpions' Wives fundraising efforts.

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2004


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