Bagnall Named Monarchs AHL Man of Year

MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs are proud to announce that former St. Lawrence  defenseman Drew Bagnall has been named the team’s winner of the American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the Manchester community and charitable organizations during the 2009-10 season.

Bagnall is the team’s Captain and has become spokesman for the Monarchs in the community during his third season.  Bagnall takes pride in spreading a good message and spending time with children in the community.  He enjoys talking about the Monarchs and bringing fans into his world as a professional athlete.

Bagnall is a huge advocate for the Monarchs Winning With Wellness program which allows kids to interact with players in an educational setting.  It is geared toward both elementary school and middle school children and features Monarchs players visiting schools throughout southern New Hampshire to discuss the importance of living and maintaining healthy lifestyle through a good diet and exercise.  Bagnall jumps at the opportunity to go to local schools to speak with the children on a more personal level and share his story with them.

Cheryl Abbott, the Monarchs Senior Vice President, describes Bagnall as “an inspirational role model for our organization.  His ability to speak to children of all ages regarding health and wellness for the Monarchs Winning With Wellness program and his personal experiences of staying drug free is remarkable.  He is able to convey the importance of saying no to drugs and living a healthy lifestyle in a way that youth today understand,” said Abbott.

In addition to the Monarchs Winning With Wellness program, Bagnall has also participated in the Monarchs annual Kids Club Party and Season Ticket Holder Meet & Greets, youth hockey practices, the Monarchs Care Foundation Golf Invitational, open practices and the Monarchs Care Foundations At Your Service Dinner.

“Bagnall enjoys working in the community,” said Abbott.  “His professionalism and steadfast dedication to youth and society is key to spreading the right message.  His enthusiasm and energy is contagious and students are able to take that positive influence into their daily lives.”

In recognition of his efforts, Bagnall will be presented with an etched crystal trophy during an on-ice presentation prior to an upcoming Monarchs home game.

Bagnall is now one of 29 finalists for the AHL’s 2009-10 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 by the American Hockey League in the coming weeks.