Toby Petersen Named Penguins Man of the Year
March 27, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release
WILKES-BARRE, PA. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are proud to announce that center Toby Petersen has been named the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' 2002-2003 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.
Petersen's dedication to the surrounding community and various local and national charitable foundations has made him a true asset both on and off the ice.
Everyone has a passion for something, but not everyone channels it in the right direction. Toby Petersen is a perfect example of someone who thrives on overcoming challenges with strength and passion. Petersen has been working his entire life to improve the lives of others in anyway he can, especially those with diabetes, a disease that hits close to home.
He was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of 5, and has been battling to gain control over this disease his entire life.
"I had just turned 5," Petersen said, trying to recall the day he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. "I remember being in the hospital. I remember everyone around me panicking, but I didn't really know what was going on. I was just too young to comprehend what was going on."
There is a big difference between something that is easier and something that is easy. Controlling diabetes has not been an easy task for Petersen, but he refused to let the disease keep him from realizing his dream of playing professional hockey. Now he wants to pass that message on to others suffering from this disease.
"(Diabetes) definitely changed my life," Petersen said, "but it hasn't controlled it. I try not to let it get the better of me."
Researchers have made great progress over the years in controlling diabetes, and Petersen knows that with the proper funds further advancements can be made.
"In my lifetime, there have been a lot of things that researchers have come up with...that have greatly improved my life," he said. "None of that would have been possible without the money to fund these programs."
This season Petersen has been using his popularity with fans to help raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International (JDFI) by auctioning off some of his game-used equipment, including a pair of autographed skates that he wore last season in Pittsburgh, game-worn gloves and pants, a game-used stick and an autographed 8x10 photo.
The auction also included two tickets to a Penguins game, with the high bidder earning a spot on the team bench during pre-game warm-ups, as well as various items signed and donated by other members of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Overall, Petersen's auction earned more than $4,000, all of which has been donated to the JDFI.
He hopes his efforts will further assist the foundation in its unending pursuit to conquer this disease.
"It's obviously a personal cause for me, because I am diabetic," Petersen said. "I have seen what the disease can do when it runs its course. I am trying to do everything I can to put a stop to it or at least get as much funds for the research as possible. Even if they don't find a cure, just find ways to make life better for those people who are inflicted with diabetes."
In recognition of his efforts, Petersen will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming home game.
He is now a finalist for the AHL's 2002-2003 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 2002-2003 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 (70-99) 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.
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