AHL Chicago Wolves

Oystrick Named Wolves' 2007-08 American Specialty/AHL Man Of The Year

Published on March 27, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release


Chicago Wolves defenseman NATHAN OYSTRICK has been named the team's 2007-08 American Specialty/American Hockey League Man of the Year. One player from each AHL team has been recognized for his outstanding commitments to his local community and charitable organizations during the 2007-08 season.

The 25-year-old blueliner is now a finalist for the AHL's 2007-08 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award honoring the overall American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year. One player will be selected from the 29 individual team award winners to be honored in the coming weeks. Chicago has had a player receive league-wide honors for community service four times in the 14-year history of the franchise.

OYSTRICK made his commitment to the Chicagoland community felt - or rather, smelled - in December when he was one of two players to participate in the Chicago Wolves Equipment Challenge: a two-day event that saw him wear his full, game-worn hockey equipment for 27 consecutive hours. The fundraiser set an unofficial record and garnered more than $5,000 in fan pledges for the Family Resource Center, Anti-Cruelty Society, Dan Snyder Memorial Fund and various Chicago-area charities.

The Regina, Saskatchewan, native, is the figurehead for "Oystrick's Entourage," a program which provides Wolves tickets to not-for-profit organizations and underpriviledged children to attend a game as his guest. Each child receives an autographed picture of Nathan and is seated in a special section. Through this initiative, more than 650 children from the Boys to Men Chicago Network, the McHenry Youth Service Bureau, the Schaumburg Teen Center and other local charities have been able to attend Wolves games this season.

In addition to lending a hand at the annual "Hockey for Her" and "Get Fed By The Wolves" fundraisers, OYSTRICK participated in the Wolves most successful education program, "Read to Succeed," sponsored by Borders, which has reached 400,000 children and more than 100 libraries throughout the Chicago area in 13 years. The Northern Michigan University alumnus has visited nearly 20 libraries in his two seasons with the team to speak about the role that education plays in his life as a professional athlete and to encourage children to spend more time in libraries, to read recreationally and to understand the importance of education.

OYSTRICK will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to the Wolves game on Sat., April 12, in recognition of his efforts.

The league award is named after the late Yanick Dupre, who passed away in August 1997 at the age of 24, following a 16-month battle with leukemia. Dupre played four seasons with the Hershey Bears (1992-1996), registering 169 points (70G, 99A) in 207 games. He also played in 35 National Hockey League contests with the Philadelphia Flyers.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2008


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