craig belfer Share this Craig Belfer, AHL Athletic Trainers Selected as Winners of Yanick Dupre Memorial Award June 14, 2021 SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that, in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic, head athletic trainers from all 31 member clubs have been selected as the winners of the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award for 2020-21. Presented annually since 1998, this award traditionally acknowledges a player as the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year for his outstanding contributions to his local community; in 2020-21, the league is pleased to recognize the athletic training staffs from all 31 organizations. In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities of looking after the general health of their players – including the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries – these athletic trainers and therapists took on the additional duties of testing, monitoring and administering the AHL’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, allowing the league to operate in a safe and effective manner during the pandemic. The AHL also acknowledges the assistant athletic trainers, equipment managers and staffs, and team doctors and medical staffs whose tireless efforts contributed to a successful year. This year’s winners of the Yanick Dupré Memorial Award are: Chad Drown, Bakersfield Condors Craig Belfer, Belleville Senators Jon Williams, Binghamton Devils Josh Sabitsky, Bridgeport Sound Tigers Alex Ambrose, Charlotte Checkers Kevin Kacer, Chicago Wolves Tom Bourdon, Cleveland Monsters Brent Woodside, Colorado Eagles Josh Chapman, Grand Rapids Griffins Brian Fairbrother, Hartford Wolf Pack Todd Richardson, Henderson Silver Knights Brian Riedel, Hershey Bears Masayasu Takaiwa and Cole Harding, Iowa Wild Glen Kinney, Laval Rocket Brian Grogesky, Lehigh Valley Phantoms Zach Salmonson, Manitoba Moose Doug Agnew, Milwaukee Admirals Jeff Andrews, Ontario Reign Dustin Stuck, Providence Bruins Michael Dhesse, Rochester Americans D.J. Jones, Rockford IceHogs Ryan Ledwon, San Diego Gulls Will Leonard, San Jose Barracuda Koryd Lavimoniere, Springfield Thunderbirds Bryan Erspamer, Stockton Heat Brad Chavis, Syracuse Crunch Mike DeGaetano, Texas Stars Jordan Aube, Toronto Marlies Bill Nervig, Tucson Roadrunners Roman Kaszczij, Utica Comets Seamus McKelvey, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The AHL’s annual Man of the Year award is named after the late Yanick Dupré, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 24 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. A second-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1991, Dupré played four seasons in the AHL with the Hershey Bears and was an AHL All-Star in 1995. In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League continues to serve as the top development league for all 31 National Hockey League teams. Nearly 90 percent of all players competing in the NHL are AHL graduates, and through the years the American Hockey League has been home to more than 100 honored members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
