AHL Toronto Marlies

Minard Nominated for Man of the Year

March 27, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Toronto Marlies News Release


Goalie's Commitment to the Community Nominates him for the League Wide Honor

The St. John's Maple Leafs announced today that goaltender, Mike Minard has been named the team's representative for the 2002 HG Insurance/K&K Insurance/AHL Man of the Year (Yanick Dupre Memorial Award). The award honors one member of each American Hockey League club who has made the greatest commitment to his community and charitable organizations throughout the course of the season. One winner from all the team nominations will be named the AHL Man of the Year, an award Minard has received for two consecutive seasons.

The St. John's Maple Leafs have been very active within the community over the past 11 years, being recognized locally, nationally and across North America on a variety of occasions and Minard has been a strong part of the club's community efforts.

One of the many ways that Minard has demonstrated his commitment and loyalty to the community is through his "Mini's Munchkins" program. This program allows children from the Janeway Children's Hospital an opportunity for a night out to watch Maple Leafs hockey throughout the season. He has made this possible as a result of his purchase of four tickets for each home game and has also challenged local businesses to join in his program. This has resulted in the signing of various corporate partners and the general public.

As a result, Minard has helped contribute over 1,200 tickets valuing $12,000 to the Children's Hospital, thus, bringing smiles to many young faces from across the province. Many children, as a result of the program, see Mike as a hero and a friend. This is evident in the letter from one of the parents at the Janeway whose child was recently diagnosed with Cancer.

"Mike has become a hero to her and is the only thing that brings joy to her life again."

As a part of the program Minard is also donating $10 for every Maple Leaf goal scored at Mile One Stadium and $50 for every shutout to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Center.

Not only does he contribute tickets and donate his own money, but also after each game Minard ensures that each person in attendance with his program meets him in the Mile One Stadium Skater's Lobby area to receive autographs and to have an opportunity to meet other players. When he is around the children, he demonstrates his consideration and care for them through his willingness to provide photographs, autographs and simple conversations.

Minard takes his community involvement further than the Mini's Munchkins program. He is readily available for prescheduled player appearances and programs that the hockey club has such as "Read with the Leafs", "Agree to Read" and "Ask a Leaf", and makes regular visits to the Janeway Children's Hopsital.

The Yanick Dupre Memorial Award is named after the late Yanick Dupre, who passed away in August of 1997 at the age of 24, following a 16-month battle with leukemia. Dupre played four seasons with the Hershey Bears (1992-96) registering 169 points (70-99) in 207 AHL games. He also played in 35 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers

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