Stafford Named Phantoms' AHL Man of the Year

March 26, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, March 26, 2003) - The Philadelphia Phantoms are proud to announce that center Ben Stafford has been named the team's 2002-03 American Specialty/HG Insurance/AHL Man of the Year. The award honors the player adjudged to have made the greatest commitment to his community and charitable organizations throughout the course of the season.

Although just a second-year player, Stafford went above and beyond in reaching out to children of the Delaware Valley. While still adjusting to his first full season with the Phantoms, Stafford touched everyone involved on Nov. 5 when he made a solo appearance at the Klemmer House - a group adoption home in Mt. Laurel, N.J. - to meet and play around with the children waiting to be adopted. As an added surprise, he brought them all tickets to the Phantoms' game later that week.

On Nov. 12, Stafford joined the rest of his teammates for their annual visit to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and had so much fun that he and roommate Mike Lephart decided to visit patients at both Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and The Children's Regional Hospital at Cooper Health System in Camden, N.J. on Dec. 17.

Other highlights of Stafford's activities this season include: conducting two hockey clinics for kids; making two school appearances to read to and answer questions from area students; and taking part in the Phantoms' Bachelor Auction (proceeds benefited the National Adoption Center). He also attended the Hockey 4 Kids fund-raising dinner on March 6 during his only night off in a difficult stretch of four games in five days, and offered a Meet N Greet Lunch with himself for their silent auction. The Hockey 4 Kids program exposes hockey to mentally, physically and economically challenged children in the Delaware Valley.

In recognition of his efforts, Stafford will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to the Phantoms' last regular-season home game on Sunday, April 6.

Stafford is now a finalist for the AHL's 2002-03 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall American Specialty/HG Insurance/AHL Man of the Year. One player will be selected from the 28 individual team award winners to be honored during the Calder Cup 2003 Finals as the 2002-03 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award winner.

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 (70G, 99A) in 207 AHL games. He also played in 35 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

American Specialty is the industry leader in providing risk services for the sports and entertainment fields. HG Insurance Services, Inc., is a full-service, national brokerage specializing in sports, entertainment and program business.

Tickets to all Phantoms home games are $18, $17 and $13 for adults, and $8 for all children 14 and under, and are available now at the First Union Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations throughout the Delaware Valley. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (215) 336-2000 or (856) 338-9000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Contact the Phantoms office at 215-465-4522 for information on group discounts, birthday packages and the Family Four Pack.



American Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2003


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