Ryan Carpenter Named San Jose Barracuda's 2015-16 IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year
Mar 31, 2016
SAN JOSE, CA – The San Jose Barracuda (@SJBarracuda) presented by Barracuda Networks (@barracuda) and the American Hockey League (@TheAHL) affiliate of the San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) has announced that Ryan Carpenter has been named the team’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the San Jose community during the 2015-16 season.
The 25-year-old from Oviedo, Florida hit the ground running in the clubs first season in San Jose as he attended several community events and spearheaded several community initiatives for the Barracuda this season.
The second year forward taught several Barracuda Math Classes throughout the Bay Area and instructed San Jose Jr. Sharks on-ice practices. Ryan played a major role in the inaugural “Gifts and Goals” toy drive. He and his teammates purchased toys the donated them to children at School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County. Due to Ryan’s leadership, there was 100% player participation and with his help, the Barracuda donated more than $2,500 worth of toys. All of the recipients and their families were invited to SAP Center to receive the gifts following the Barracuda’s December 20th game.
However, Ryan’s most important community initiative this season was befriending the San Jose Barracuda’s “first fan”, Marlon Stewart. Marlon suffers from a rare genetic disease called Saethre-Chotzen syndrome which affects his bone structure. At just 12-years old, Marlon has been through more adversity than most people experience in a lifetime. After a game in October, right before one of his surgeries and knowing he would miss Halloween; Ryan invited Marlon down to the locker room and surprised him with Halloween candy and other goodies. Ryan also invited Marlon to come to a Barracuda practice when he was feeling better. After Marlon’s surgery, Ryan went to Marlon’s house to visit him while he was recovering and invited him back to more Barracuda games. Last month, Marlon was finally able to come to a Barracuda practice which he watched from the bench. Following practice, Ryan brought him around the locker room and introduced him to the team. The afternoon was capped off by lunch with Ryan and the rest of Marlon’s family.
Ryan has been involved in a number of Barracuda events, but it’s what he does when nobody is watching that makes him stand out above the rest of the field. Throughout the week, and often on his off days, Ryan takes time out of his day to visit a special needs class at a local elementary school. At the school Ryan reads to the children, teaches them math and all about the game of hockey. Some of those students came to a Barracuda game to meet with Coach Roy Sommer and his son Marley. When Ryan found out about the postgame meet and greet, he made sure that he stopped by the room to take pictures and sign autographs for the 100+ people in attendance. Earlier this month, Ryan went back to the elementary school to play street hockey with the same special needs students and their classmates.
Another one of Ryan’s many charitable endeavors, and the one he is most passionate about, is the time he spends with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at San Jose State University. Ryan spends a few days each week attending various FCA functions, not including the days and times he meets up with the athletes at SJSU individually. During these interactions, Ryan shares his journey with the athletes and how God has played such an important role in his life. Separately, Ryan is also involved in FCA Hockey where he participates in two conference calls each week with other professional and collegiate hockey players. This season, the San Jose Barracuda have held two Faith and Family Nights where following the game; Ryan spoke to the group about how his faith and the game of hockey have gone hand-in-hand.
Carpenter is now one of 30 finalists for the AHL’s 2015-16 Yanick Dupre 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 winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be announced by the American Hockey League at a later date.
For more information regarding the San Jose Barracuda community initiatives please visit www.SJBarracuda.com.