Pietrus Among Nominees for 2010 Humanitarian Award

PROVIDENCE, RI - Senior men's hockey captain Jordan Pietrus (Winnipeg, MAN) is among 18 nominees for the 2010 Hockey Humanitarian Award. Presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen, the award seeks to recognize college hockey players, Division I or Division III, male or female, who give back to their community in the true humanitarian spirit. Pietrus is one of two student-athletes from ECAC Hockey to gain a nomination, joining Colgate's Ethan Cox.

A true leader by example, Pietrus is a captain of this year's team, after serving as an assistant captain during the 2008-09 season. As someone who is dedicated to elevating both his own game along with that of his teammates, he is one of the hardest working players on the team. In fact, his commitment to excellence has never wavered, having twice earned the "Hardest Worker Award" as a member of the Winnipeg Saints (MJHL) from 2002-2004.

Pietrus has impressed the new coaching staff by getting the job done at both ends of the ice and brings quickness and a relentless fore-checking ability to the forward line. He logs significant ice time, playing even-strength and during special-teams situations. After playing in just 17 games and posting two assists as a rookie in 2006-07, he has developed into one of the best players on the team. Currently, he ranks third on the team in scoring with 17 points (7g, 10a) in 21 games.

Throughout his career at Brown, Pietrus has been just as committed to the Brown community, both on and off campus. He has been volunteering in a first grade classroom at the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School in Providence since the fall of his freshman year. He has served as the team liaison for the mentoring program, regularly visiting the class to enhance the literacy and mathematical skills of the children, while also teaching them valuable life lessons.

On the Brown campus, Pietrus has most recently organized efforts this winter for the men's hockey team, working with the athletic department, to run a "Toy Drive" benefiting Providence's Hasbro Children's Hospital. After collecting toys from fans at three separate games, Jordan and two teammates traveled to the hospital to deliver the items in time for this year's holiday season.

He is the current co-president of BrowNation, a student-run and funded marketing group with the goal of increasing awareness, excitement, and school spirit around Brown athletic events. Before Jordan's involvement, the organization had 20 paid members. Through events and efforts such as the MegaBowl Competition, active recruiting in campus dorms, and marketing campaigns around campus he has helped BrowNation participation explode to over 800 paid members. He has encouraged nearly 20 other students to become active on the leadership side of BrowNation and they are helping to instill a true sense of school pride and togetherness through sport.

Pietrus has also put his mark on Brown's Relay for Life in April of 2009, serving as a "Team Captain." He organized a team of 15 student-athletes, each of who were responsible for raising $100 for the American Cancer Society. To raise money, Jordan coordinated the team's participation in multiple events, such as an open-mic concert.

He is a co-founder of "3D Training," an entrepreneurial venture that develops individualized personal training programs for students at Brown.  He has also been a personal trainer at Focus Fitness (Winnipeg, MAN) during the past three summers (2007, 2008, 2009).  In addition, he served as a coach at the Greg Carters European Hockey School (Concord, MA) during the summers of 2006, 2007, and 2008.

In the classroom, Jordan has a 3.50 grade point average while concentrating in the Business Economics track of the Commerce, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship program.  He earned ECAC Hockey All-Academic Squad honors during the past three seasons. He is already thinking to a career beyond hockey, having held an internship (summer 2009) at Parrish and Heimbecker, Ltd, (Winnipeg, MAN). As part of his internship, Jordan worked closely with the CFO in navigating the financial challenges posed by the economy and also conducted research on forming a Captive Insurance Company, presenting a proposal to upper management.

Jordan Pietrus is a consummate student-athlete. He is adept at balancing the demands of competitive athletics and the academic rigor of Brown University.  He exudes excellence and inspires others to achieve beyond what is thought possible.  Despite the demands of his team and class schedules, he finds innovative ways to contribute to the lives of others. Jordan is truly an invaluable member of the Brown and Providence communities.

This year's finalists will be announced in February 2010. On Friday, April 9th, the 2010 Hockey Humanitarian Award recipient will be introduced in a ceremony at Ford Field in Detroit in conjunction with the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four.