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Whitmore Named Pirates 2008-09 Man of the Year

March 31, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME- The Portland Pirates are proud to announce that Derek Whitmore has been named the team's winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Portland community during the 2008-09 season. In his first season with the Pirates, Whitmore has made an immediate impact on the Portland community by becoming one of the most active players in the Pirates community relations efforts.

"I am honored to receive this award and join the many other players that have been nominated for the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award. Being a professional athlete allows me a tremendous opportunity to give back to our great fans and community here in Portland. During each of the Pirates community events this season, I know I had the chance to brighten at least one person's day and that makes it all worth it," said Pirates forward Derek Whitmore.

In his first season in Portland, Whitmore was eager to participate in many of the Pirates "Goals for Success" programs sponsored by Aquafina and Healthy Maine Partnerships. The program is designed to teach kids from grades 3-8 about the importance of setting goals and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Earlier this season, Whitmore also helped lead one of the Pirates/Country Kitchen Youth Hockey Clinics for youth hockey players at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

In addition to his work in the classroom and at the rink, like many of his teammates, he graciously gave his time to visit patients at The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center. As usual, Whitmore went above and beyond, by staring in a public service announcement for Maine Medical Center to educate fans on the importance of stretching before physical activity. He also helped organize a group of players to deliver teddy bears to the hospital as part of the Pirates State Farm Teddy Bear toss from earlier this season.

During many post-game skates Whitmore was likely to be the first player on the ice and the last player to leave. Recently, Whitmore joined other teammates for a County Kitchen Youth Hockey Clinic for youth hockey players as part of the Pirates "Day of Hockey" presented by the Bill Dodge Auto Group. The event helped raise funds and awareness for the kids at The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center.

Throughout the year, Whitmore has been involved in many of the Pirates promotional events and participated in numerous autograph sessions and in-game promotions at Pirates home games. In addition to his many appearances on local radio, television shows, he also provided fans with behind-the-scenes look at his life, on and off the ice with personal blog on the Pirates website at www.portlandpirates.com.

Later this month, he will be part of a local auction to support Clean Ocean Action, an organization designed to improve the degraded water quality of the marine waters off the New Jersey/New York coast. Always conducting himself in a professional manner, Whitmore has been an excellent representative of the Portland Pirates on the ice and in the community.

Whitmore's strong work-ethic and passion for the game and the local community have made him a great role model for the Portland fans. In recognition of his efforts, Whitmore will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation during an upcoming Pirates home game.

Whitmore is now one of 27 finalists for the AHL's 2008-09 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year. The league award is named after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be announced on Monday, April 6th.



American Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2009


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