The Hershey Bears proudly announce that defenseman Jake Massie has been named the team's winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the Hershey and Central Pennsylvania community during the 2023-24 season.
Massie enthusiastically participated in over 20 community events this season as part of the club's Hershey Bears Cares community program. He is often the first player to register for an event, encourages his teammates to join him, and challenges the club to secure more community activities and appearances. Massie recognizes and appreciates the long-standing tradition of Hershey Bears players giving back to the community and enjoys being a role model for local children and connecting with the team's extensive fanbase.
Massie kicked off the season by taking the Calder Cup to visit several of our first responders at the Penn State Health Life Lion's Hershey-based hanger. There, he posed for dozens of photos and shared his experiences of being part of the championship team. In November, Massie attended his first of four visits to the Penn State Health Children's Hospital. During these appearances, Massie played games, signed items, visited with families and posed for photos with patients and staff members. Additionally, as part of a first-ever Leukemia & Lymphoma Light the Night in-patient activation at the Penn State Health Cancer Institute, Massie joined five other players to encourage adults battling cancer to continue the fight.
The Core Purpose of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts is to provide value to and offer meaningful engagements with the students and staff members at Milton Hershey School (MHS), a home and school founded by chocolate magnate, philanthropist and Hershey Bears founder Milton S. Hershey. Massie took this to heart and participated in six MHS events, including practicing with the middle school hockey team, playing board games and floor hockey with elementary school students and attending a lunch with members of the School's senior division hockey team.
Massie also distributed Hershey Bears tickets to service men and women in honor of the team's annual Hometown Heroes game. Massie attended a charity dinner for a local fan's birthday and gave holiday gifts to needy families at the Cocoa Packs Presents toy drive. At each of these events, Massie set an example for his teammates and our staff members. A fan favorite, Massie always makes time to connect with the community, take photos and hear their excitement about the team's season.
Massie is now one of 32 finalists for the AHL's 2023-24 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award, honoring the overall IOA/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 Yanick Dupré Memorial Award winner will be announced by the American Hockey League later this month.
The Bears continue the 2023-24 season, presented by Penn State Health, when they return home to GIANT Center against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. for Fairview Golf Course Logo Chip Night. The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a 2023 Calder Cup Champions logo golf chip. The game will also feature a pre-game happy hour featuring a $5 16 oz. select beer, available from doors to puck drop. Purchase tickets for the game by CLICKING HERE.
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