Oystrick Named Wolves 2007-08 Dan Snyder Man Of The Year
April 10, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
Chicago Wolves defenseman NATHAN OYSTRICK has been named the team's Dan Snyder Man of the Year in recognition of his commitment to service to the Chicagoland community.
The honor is given to a Wolves player each year in memory of Snyder, who passed away on Oct. 5, 2003, after suffering major head injuries in a car accident. Snyder spent two seasons with the Wolves (2001-2003) and helped the team earn the 2002 Calder Cup Championship.
The Wolves and Dan's parents, Graham and LuAnn Snyder, will present OYSTRICK with the award before the team battles the Peoria Rivermen at the Allstate Arena on Sun., April 13, at 3 p.m.
"Nathan is a tremendous ambassador for the Wolves and for the sport of hockey," said Wolves Vice President of Operations Courtney Mahoney. "His charisma and dedication to the fans is unlike any that I have encountered in my 12 years with the organization. He brings a contagious energy to every endeavor and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Chicago community during his time here."
OYSTRICK kicked off the season with a grand gesture 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," sponsored by DHL, a program which provides Wolves tickets to not-for-profit organizations and underprivileged 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 home 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 was also a finalist for the American Hockey League's 2007-08 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the league's Man of the Year.
Previous winners of the Dan Snyder Memorial Award include current Wolves defenseman Brian Sipotz (2006-07), former Wolves left wing Karl Stewart (2004-05 and 2005-06) and former defenseman Kurtis Foster (2003-04).
American Hockey League Stories from April 10, 2008
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- Crunch Announce Details Of April 12 Turning Stone Fan Appreciation Night - Syracuse Crunch
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- Oystrick Named Wolves' 2007-08 Dan Snyder Man Of The Year - Chicago Wolves
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